The Nigerian government has announced an investigation into Air Peace, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), and MTN Nigeria over alleged violations of consumer rights across the aviation, banking, and telecommunications sectors.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) disclosed on Sunday that the inquiry aims to address widespread complaints of unfair practices and inadequate service delivery.
The FCCPC stated that Air Peace is being investigated for alleged exploitative ticket pricing, particularly significant price hikes for advance bookings on specific domestic routes.
In the banking sector, GTB faces scrutiny over network issues that reportedly prevent customers from accessing funds and using banking applications efficiently.
For the telecommunications sector, the focus is on MTN Nigeria, which has received numerous complaints from consumers about undelivered data services, unexplained data depletion, and substandard customer care.
The FCCPC has scheduled hearings for December 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2024, for each of the companies to respond to these allegations.
According to the commission, this investigation aligns with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. The act empowers the FCCPC to investigate practices that undermine consumer rights, disrupt markets, or foster unfair competition.
“The FCCPC’s engagement with these companies provides an opportunity to address consumer concerns, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a fair marketplace,” the commission stated.
The FCCPC further encouraged consumers to continue reporting instances of poor service delivery or exploitative practices via its official channels, emphasizing its commitment to protecting consumer rights and promoting accountability across sectors.
