The competition and consumer protection tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

In a statement on Friday by Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency’s director for corporate affairs, FCCPC said the tribunal also awarded $35,000 to the commission as the cost of investigation.

On July 19, 2024, FCCPC imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for multiple data privacy violations.

However, Meta said it would appeal the fine.

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

Delivering judgment on Thursday in Abuja, the tribunal led by Thomas Okosun ruled that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in investigating and sanctioning the companies for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative practices.

The tribunal dismissed the appeals filed by Meta and WhatsApp, which challenged the legal basis of the commission’s findings and orders.

Instead, it upheld the commission’s position on nearly all contested issues.

Gbolahan Elias (SAN) led WhatsApp and Meta’s legal teams, while Babatunde Irukera led the FCCPC’s legal team.

According to the statement, both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28.

‘FCCPC ADHERED TO DUE PROCESS’

The tribunal, in its ruling, found that the FCCPC adhered to due process and acted within the law.

It resolved issues one to seven primarily in favour of the commission.

“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 statement reads.

“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 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.”

Commenting on the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman (EVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the FCCPC, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a landmark judgment reinforcing the commission’s mandate to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.

He commended the commission’s legal team for their diligence.

Bello reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

A group known as the Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership has strongly condemned the escalating crisis in Zamfara State, calling for a state of emergency to be declared due to Governor Dauda Lawal’s alleged disregard for the rule of law and inaction on insecurity.

The group cited the ongoing power tussle between the governor and the Zamfara State House of Assembly, which has resulted in two parallel leaderships and a breakdown in governance.

The group’s executive director, Patriot Abel Adams, expressed deep concern over the state’s worsening security situation, with 14 local government councils experiencing rampant insecurity, killings, and destruction of properties.

Adams accused Governor Lawal of being one of the worst-performing governors in the country, lacking the capacity to govern and engaging in frivolous spending while the people suffered.

According to Adams, the governor’s actions have emboldened bandits and kidnappers, who have sacked whole communities and made life unbearable for the people of the state.

“Rather than strenuously work at eliminating the hydra-headed challenges of poverty, kidnapping, and banditry, the governor would rather engage in frivolous spending, make hypocritical sympathy visits to victims of the almost daily attacks and the families of the dead,” Adams said.

The group also criticised Lawal for presenting the state’s 2025 budget to an illegitimate assembly leadership, further exacerbating the crisis.

They pointed out that the governor’s actions are a clear disregard for the rule of law and the principles of separation of powers, which are fundamental to democracy.

“The governor should know that the same election that brought him to office and grants legitimacy to him as the governor is the same election that guarantees constitutional powers to the members of the State House of Assembly to act and represent their constituencies,” Adams said.

“No authority confers on him a more deserving priority order than that he is the governor of the State and must act within the constitutional allowance of his office.

“He is required to observe the principles of the rule of law, the principles of separation of powers and the observance of Checks and Balance, tenets without which democracy is no longer democracy but authoritarianism.

“The governor in failing to truly understand the tenets of democracy and uphold same, has also failed to take a cursory look at the House Standing Rules, but instead has gone on a miserable sightseeing, thinking that as a governor he has total tyrannical control and that the State Legislators are stooges and thus intends to turn them to effective rubber stamps.

“He failed woefully and has mis-constructed and misconstrued our democracy and the separation of powers, undermining it and insulting our collective sensibilities. He also underestimated the resilience of the 24 gallant patriots of democracy.

“Unfortunately, he is left with no option but must obey the new leadership of the House of Assembly or face the wrath of the people in an escalating crisis, which will make the State completely ungovernable for him and directly compel a declaration of the State of Emergency.

“We believe that the governor’s actions are a recipe for chaos and anarchy, and it’s only a matter of time before the situation becomes ungovernable. We call on the authorities to intervene and restore order in Zamfara State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.”

The Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership also commended the 10 lawmakers who have been fighting for their rights and the rights of their constituents, despite facing intimidation and harassment from the governor’s camp.

“These lawmakers have shown courage and conviction in standing up for what is right, and we urge them to continue to defend the interests of their constituents,” Adams said.

The group’s call for a state of emergency in Zamfara State is based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), which empowers the president to declare a state of emergency in a state where the structure of government has broken down.

“We believe that the situation in Zamfara State meets this criteria, and it’s imperative that the authorities take swift action to restore order and stability,” Adams said.

The group warned that if the situation is not addressed, it could lead to further escalation of violence, displacement of people, and humanitarian crisis.

They urged the authorities to take immediate action to address the security challenges and ensure that the government is accountable to the people.

The Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore order and stability in Zamfara State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.

By Nahum Sule, Jalingo

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, under Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have achieved significant successes in their ongoing mission, Operation LAFIYAN JAMAA, aimed at eliminating criminal elements in Taraba State.

In a statement issued By OLUBODUNDE ONI, Captain, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army said Over the past week, coordinated operations across multiple local government areas (LGAs) led to the arrest of a wanted bandit, the apprehension of a military imposter, and the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.

“On April 16, 2025, troops responded to a distress call from a local hunter and raided a suspected bandit camp at Dutsen Kachalla in Lainde, Lau LGA. The criminals fled into the mountains upon spotting the troops, leaving behind an AK-47 magazine, an AK-47 rifle butt, military headgear, and a National Identification Card belongingAdamu Umaru Jauro
On April 19, acting on intelligence, troops arrested Yusuf Hammadu, alias “Dogo,” in Lainde Jessy, Lau LGA. Hammadu, a known criminal on security watchlists, confessed to involvement in a kidnapping syndicate operating across Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Yorro LGAs”.

“In a separate operation on April 22, troops apprehended Richard Ongu, a fraudster posing as a Nigerian Army Major in Gashaka. Ongu, who claimed to be a discharged Nigerian Air Force Flight Sergeant, was involved in multiple scams, including defrauding a car dealer of a Toyota Corolla worth ₦5.2 million, extorting ₦1.6 million for a fake Beniseed supply deal, and soliciting money for fraudulent military recruitment schemes in Bali and Gassol LGAs. He will be handed over to authorities for prosecution following military investigations.
On April 24, a joint operation with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) at Jatau-Nyimu village in Donga LGA resulted in the recovery of 86 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, a Tarvor magazine, four cartridges, a Beofeng handheld radio, three single-barrel guns, and two military camouflage uniforms.”

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade, praised the troops’ professionalism and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to restoring peace in Taraba State. He urged the public to provide timely information to support operations and warned against individuals soliciting payment for military recruitment, emphasizing that enlistment is free and merit-based.