The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the recent court judgement affirming its powers to investigate complaints of medical negligence confirms that no commercial service sector is beyond consumer protection accountability.
Mr Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, hailed the judgement as symbolic and significant.
The judgement was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit filed by Life Bridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd.
Bello said the ruling confirms that consumers are entitled to protection and redress in all sectors where services are provided for a fee, including healthcare.
He stressed that sector-specific professional regulation and consumer protection oversight are distinct statutory functions that can operate side by side in the public interest.
“The Commission’s role is not to replace professional bodies or sector regulators, but to ensure that consumers who pay for services are treated fairly and receive standards consistent with the law,” he said.
Bello added that the FCCPC remains committed to constructive engagement with healthcare providers, professional bodies, regulators, and other stakeholders to promote quality service delivery, accountability, and stronger consumer confidence.
The court held that healthcare services fall within the category of services subject to consumer protection oversight under the FCCPC Act.
The judge further ruled that where a complaint borders on consumer satisfaction, such issues may fall within the Commission’s mandate, even if the sector is also professionally regulated.
