Business

BREAKING : FCCPC Wins $220million Case Against Meta (Facebook & WhatsApp)

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

Published

11 months ago

April 25, 2025

OhiBaba

366 Views

Friday, April 25, 2025:

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal today delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera.

Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

The investigation started in 2020.

The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour.

The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Related Topics:FCCPC violations case against Meta Featured

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Business

CBN places suspicious BVNs on 24-hour watchlist

These provisions are set to take effect from 1 May 2026.

Published

16 hours ago

March 13, 2026

OCHEFA

21 Views

Photo: Olayemi Cardoso , CBN Governor

To combat fraud, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled new regulations aimed at strengthening fraud control and digital banking security across the country.

These provisions are set to take effect from 1 May 2026.

In a circular issued to all banks, other financial institutions and payment service providers, the apex bank details amendments to the Revised Regulatory Framework for Bank Verification Number (BVN) operations and additional requirements for instant payment services.

Under the new BVN framework, financial institutions are required to maintain a temporary watchlist for BVNs implicated in suspected fraudulent transactions.Any BVN placed on this list will remain there for a maximum of 24 hours, during which the account holder will be contacted to provide clarification.

The circular also sets age restrictions for BVN enrolment, limiting registration to individuals 18 years and above, and restricts phone number amendments linked to BVNs to a single change.

Access to BVN databases will now be exclusively for CBN-licensed financial institutions, with the central bank retaining the right to grant access in extenuating circumstances under existing laws.

Business

Indorama, Nigerian Breweries and Genesis Power plan 45,000 tons rPET Plant in Lagos

The initiative aims to meet fast rising demand for recycled content, reduce plastic waste and create local value through improved collection systems.

Published

17 hours ago

March 13, 2026

OCHEFA

22 Views

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Genesis Power and Energy Solutions Ltd have entered a strategic partnership to establish one of Africa’s largest state-of-the-art recycled PET (rPET) production facilities in Nigeria.

Located in Lagos, the site represents an investment to develop a facility capable of producing up to 45,000 tons of food grade rPET resin yearly, with start up targeted in the first half of 2027, a statement by the partners said.By converting post consumer PET bottles into high quality recycled material for packaging applications.

The initiative aims to meet fast rising demand for recycled content, reduce plastic waste and create local value through improved collection systems.

The project is expected to support recycling capacity in Nigeria, subject to regulatory approvals, technical validation and operational implementation.

Together, the partners aim to establish commercially viable rPET operations that enable responsible growth and long-term environmental impact.

Commenting on the landmark partnership, Executive President of Petchem and Chairman of ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, Yash Lohia, said: “This partnership marks a defining milestone in our global recycling journey. By establishing our largest recycling facility to date and one of the largest rPET sites in Africa, we are bringing Indorama Ventures’ global expertise, proven technologies and long-term vision for circularity to a region with immense growth potentials.

This investment reflects our belief that scaling sustainability solutions locally is essential to building resilient, sustainable packaging systems that deliver lasting environmental and economic value.”

Chairman and CEO of Genesis Energy, Akinwole II Omoboriowo, said: “This compelling initiative demonstrates Genesis’s commitment to deploying capital to climate-resilient investments by leveraging clean energy as a strategic nexus to advancing viable economic opportunities.

The investment is also a testament to how cross-sector partnerships can enable sustainable industrial development. By combining circular economy principles with resilient infrastructure and energy solutions, the initiative supports long-term environmental impact and local value creation.”

Business

CBN restricts mobile banking apps operation to one device

In the circular signed by the CBN’s Director of Payments System Policy Department, Musa Jimoh, said ” Implementation of the above provisions will take effect from July 1, 2026.”

Published

18 hours ago

March 13, 2026

OCHEFA

24 Views

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday restricted the operation of mobile banking applications (apps) to one device.

This was contained in a circular to all banks and other financial institutions and payment service providers (PSP) announcing additional guidance for the operations of instant payments (IP) in Nigeria.

In the circular signed by the CBN’s Director of Payments System Policy Department, Musa Jimoh, said ” Implementation of the above provisions will take effect from July 1, 2026.”

The circular read: “The Central CBN in line with its mandate of promoting financial system stability hereby issues additional guidance for the operations of Instant Payments in Nigeria.

All Financial Institutions (FIs) offering Instant Payment (IP) shall provide the following additional functionalities: Mandatory device binding: Mobile financial services applications (apps) shall only be enabled on one device at a time, and customers cannot operate the apps concurrently on multiple devices.“Migration to another device shall trigger automatic re-activation and authentication.

“Customers shall have the option to opt-out of opt-in to IP service at any time and for any given period.

This process shall be subject to Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) control. Default setting shall be Opt-in upon on-boarding a new customer.

“In the opt-out mode, a customer shall not be able to carry out online instant transfer of funds (intra or inter) from his/her account to another customer.“

However, customers can physically visit the financial institution to effect transfer during this period.

“Voluntary Transaction Limit: Subject to the existing maximum limits of N25 million for individuals and N250 million for corporates, customers shall have the option to adjust the limits as needed.