TICKET PRICING: AGAIN, FCCPC FLOORS AIR PEACE

Court Affirms Commission’s Power to Investigate Consumer Pricing Complaints

Friday, 10 July 2026: The Abuja Federal High Court has affirmed the statutory authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate consumer complaints relating to pricing of airline tickets.

The court clarified that the Commission’s investigative powers under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA, 2018) are distinct from the exercise of a power to regulate price.

In a judgment delivered on June 29, Honourable Justice B.F.M. Nyako dismissed the suit filed by Air Peace Limited challenging the Commission’s authority to investigate complaints concerning possible exploitative ticket pricing.

The ruling is consistent with a ruling earlier in April 2026 by Justice James Omotosho in another suit filed by Air Peace contesting the Commission’s power to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons in the exercise of its statutory mandate.

In the April ruling, Justice Omotosho dismissed the airline’s contention as unreasonable.

The latest judicial interpretation by Justice Nyako arose from a suit filed by Air Peace in 2025 following the Commission’s request for information from Air Peace in January 2025 after widespread consumer complaints over substantial increases in airfares on certain domestic routes in December 2024.

Air Peace argued that the Commission lacked authority to inquire into airfare pricing unless the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had first invoked the price regulation provisions of the FCCPA.

The airline therefore sought declarations that the Commission lacked authority to investigate the matter, together with orders perpetually restraining it from doing so.

However, Justice Nyako rejected those arguments. She held that the Commission acted within its investigative powers under Sections 17, 32 and 33 of the FCCPA when it sought information from Air Peace in response to consumer complaints.