Abuja: The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has identified competition and consumer protection laws as the most dynamic and litigated fields of legal practice across various jurisdictions. She made this assertion during a three-day strategic judicial training on ‘Competition and Consumer Protection Laws’ in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training was organized by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI). The event was themed ‘Addressing Legal and Adjudicatory Issues in Competition and Consumer Protection under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.’
Justice Kekere-Ekun highlighted that recent developments, such as regulatory gaps in industries like fashion, travel, and retail, alongside challenges within digital markets and the increasing demand for collective consumer redress, have significantly transformed the legal framework. These changes hold substantial implications for the judiciary, potentially leading to a surge in the volume and complexity of competition and consumer protection cases.
She pointed out that the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven systems is further influencing competition and consumer protection dynamics, transforming markets in unprecedented ways. While these technologies offer substantial benefits, they also introduce complex risks, including data exploitation, algorithmic manipulation of consumer choices, privacy infringements, and the spread of misleading information.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged regulatory bodies to remain adaptive, innovative, and responsive to these emerging challenges as technology continues to evolve. She emphasized the Nigerian judiciary’s commitment to consumer rights protection and market integrity, advocating for the strategic development of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanisms to enhance consumer protection regimes.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, underscored the practical expression of competition and consumer protection law in courtroom settings. He emphasized the need for judicial officers to be well-equipped to approach competition issues with clarity and confidence, noting the impact of technological innovation, digital commerce, and complex corporate structures on market functions.
Mr. Bello highlighted the increasing number of disputes arising from evolving market practices, involving complex factual records and economic evidence. He stressed the importance of judicial interpretation in shaping the evolving jurisprudence governing market conduct and consumer protection in Nigeria.
Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Administrator of NJI, explained that the strategic training aimed to deepen judicial understanding of competition law principles, the institutional framework of the FCCPA, and evidentiary approaches in competition litigation. The training also aimed to expand judicial insights into emerging issues in digital markets and financial technology.
The training event, as reported by NAN, attracted judges and judicial officers from across Nigeria, reflecting the growing significance of competition and consumer protection laws in the country’s legal landscape.