A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from enforcing parts of its newly introduced Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted the interim injunction following an ex-parte application filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria, pending the determination of a substantive suit.
WASPA Nigeria had approached the court on April 14, 2026, seeking urgent intervention to halt the enforcement of key provisions of the regulatory framework, popularly referred to as the “Deon Consumer Lending Regulations.”
The association argued that the rules would negatively impact its members operating within Nigeria’s digital lending and online services ecosystem.
It specifically asked 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.
In his ruling delivered after hearing submissions from counsel to the applicant, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), alongside Bolu Agbaje Akadri, and Muyiwa Odubela, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that the applicant had established sufficient grounds for interim protection.
The court consequently restrained the commission from implementing or enforcing the disputed provisions, as well as from imposing sanctions, penalties, or fines on WASPA members.
The judge also barred the FCCPC from issuing directives or taking actions that could disrupt the operations of affected service providers.
The court further ordered that the commission must not interfere with or prevent members of the association from continuing their services under the existing framework.
The interim order will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The case has been adjourned to April 27, 2026 for further hearing.
The FCCPC had introduced the regulations to strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s fast-growing digital lending and fintech sector, with a focus on consumer protection, data privacy, and curbing unregulated lending practices.