The Federal High Court in Abuja has confirmed that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) holds the legal right to probe airline ticket pricing concerns. In a ruling on June 29, 2026, Justice B.F.M. Nyako turned down a lawsuit from Air Peace Limited, which had contested the Commission’s ability to examine claims of unfair airfare costs.
Justice Nyako determined that the investigative authority granted to the FCCPC under the 2018 Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act remains distinct from price control powers. The court noted that the agency acted legally when it sought documentation from the airline following public outcry regarding rising domestic ticket prices in December 2024.
Air Peace had claimed the FCCPC lacked the power to probe fares without prior presidential authorization regarding price controls. However, the court dismissed this, stating that investigating complaints is not equivalent to setting prices. Justice Nyako clarified that the FCCPC never forced the airline to change its rates, but was simply conducting a necessary inquiry.
This outcome mirrors a separate April 2026 ruling by Justice James Omotosho, who also supported the agency’s power to issue summons. Tunji Bello, the CEO of the FCCPC, welcomed the verdict as a vital endorsement of the agency’s role in protecting consumers. A statement released by Director Ondaje Ijagwu further explained that inquiries are fact-finding missions rather than formal findings of guilt, ensuring the commission can operate effectively within the rule of law.
