The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) authority to investigate Air Peace ticket pricing following complaints from passengers. Justice Binta Nyako dismissed the airline’s suit, holding that the commission acted within its legal powers when it requested information on airfare charges.
According to daily post,Air Peace had argued that the FCCPC lacked the authority to investigate ticket pricing without a presidential directive under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA). The airline maintained that the commission’s actions amounted to price regulation, which it claimed could only be triggered by the President.
However, Justice Nyako rejected that argument. She ruled that requesting information as part of an investigation is different from fixing or regulating prices. According to the judge, Sections 17, 32 and 33 of the FCCPA empower the FCCPC to investigate consumer complaints, meaning the commission did not exceed its statutory powers.
The judge further held that accepting Air Peace’s position would weaken consumer protection and prevent the FCCPC from carrying out legitimate investigations into pricing complaints. As a result, the court dismissed the airline’s claims and upheld the commission’s investigative authority.
The dispute began after the FCCPC sought information from Air Peace over sharp increases in domestic airfares during the 2024 Christmas travel season. Following the request, the airline approached the court to stop the investigation, insisting that the commission had no legal basis to examine Air Peace ticket pricing.
Meanwhile, the latest judgment marks another legal victory for the FCCPC against Air Peace. In April 2026, another Federal High Court dismissed a separate suit filed by the airline, reaffirming the commission’s authority to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons while carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
Reacting to the ruling, the FCCPC welcomed the court’s decision and said it reinforces the distinction between investigating complaints and regulating prices. The commission stressed that it never attempted to fix airfare rates but merely sought information while investigating concerns raised by consumers.
Therefore, the judgment strengthens the FCCPC’s oversight role and allows it to continue investigating Air Peace ticket pricing and other consumer-related complaints in line with its statutory mandate.
