The Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from enforcing parts of the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted the interim injunction after an ex parte application by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria, which is challenging the legality of some provisions in the regulation.
The regulation, also known as the DEON Consumer Lending Regulation, took effect on July 21, 2025. The commission had said the rules were issued under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 to ensure registration, transparency, data privacy, and responsible lending across digital and non-traditional credit platforms, with a compliance deadline set for January 5, 2026.
The Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria told the court that the regulation would negatively affect its members operating within the digital lending space. The association asked the court to stop the commission from enforcing several sections of the rules and from imposing sanctions, penalties, or directives that could disrupt their operations. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, who led the legal team, argued that the application required urgent judicial intervention.
Also Read: FCCPC Sets January Deadline for Full Compliance with Digital Lending Rules
In his ruling, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa held that the applicant had established grounds for interim protection pending the determination of the suit. The court restrained the commission from enforcing the disputed provisions, imposing penalties, or issuing directives affecting the association’s members. The matter has been adjourned to April 27 for the hearing of the substantive application.
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