Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from enforcing key provisions of its Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, pending the determination of a substantive suit.
The judge granted the interim injunction after hearing an ex parte application filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPA Nigeria).
The suit, filed on 14 April 2026, challenges the legality and implementation of the regulatory framework, widely referred to as the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations.
Counsel for the applicant, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), led arguments in support of the motion, alongside Bolu Agbaje Akadri and Muyiwa Odubela.
In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that the applicant had established sufficient grounds to warrant interim judicial protection pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
Prior to the court’s decision, WASPA Nigeria had contended that the regulations would significantly disrupt the operations of its members, who are active players in Nigeria’s digital and online lending ecosystem.
The association specifically urged the court to restrain the FCCPC from enforcing several provisions of the regulations, including paragraphs 3, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 24, 27, 29 and 32.
It also sought orders preventing the commission from imposing sanctions, fines or penalties on its members, as well as from issuing directives that could adversely affect their business operations.
After reviewing the motion and supporting affidavit sworn by Ayo Stuffman, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the interim injunction.
The court consequently barred the FCCPC from enforcing or giving effect to the disputed provisions pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
Additionally, the commission was restrained from taking any steps that could interfere with WASPA members’ ability to continue providing services under the existing framework.
The court further prohibited the FCCPC from imposing sanctions or penalties on the association’s members over alleged non-compliance with the contested regulations.
In the same vein, the judge restrained the commission from issuing any further directives relating to the implementation or enforcement of the regulations.
The matter has been adjourned until 27 April 2026 for the hearing of the substantive application.
