A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction restraining the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from enforcing key provisions of its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025, known as the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa granted the ex parte order on Wednesday following an application by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPA Nigeria), filed on April 14.
WASPA, represented by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Bolu Agbaje Akadri, and Muyiwa Odubela, contended that the regulations disrupt digital lending operations in Nigeria’s booming fintech sector. The suit challenges FCCPC’s authority over telecom-related aspects, arguing they fall under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The restrained provisions include paragraphs 3, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 24, 27, 29, and 32, which cover lending practices, sanctions, and operational directives. The court barred FCCPC from imposing penalties, fines, or further orders on WASPA members, preserving their services pending a hearing on April 27.
This ruling creates a temporary regulatory breather, enabling aggressive campaigns for loan apps like Carbon, FairMoney, and Okash without immediate compliance hurdles. It spotlights tensions between consumer protection and innovation, where ad creatives touting quick loans must now navigate legal flux. Fintech brands can leverage this window for trust-building narratives, emphasizing ethical lending via influencers and targeted social media, while awaiting clarity.
The regulations, effective since July 2025, aimed to curb predatory practices, but the injunction underscores jurisdictional debates impacting digital marketing strategies reliant on seamless user acquisition. The case returns April 27 for interlocutory injunction arguments.
