Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

A statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs of FCCPC,  said the Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

“In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

“The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun,” the statement said.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera. Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

PlatinumPost reports that FCCPC had on on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

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The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.

While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.

On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.

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On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour. The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.

While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

Troops capture wanted bandit, recover cache of ammunition

As part of ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities in Taraba State under the umbrella of Operation LAFIYAN JAMAA, troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have carried out a series of well-coordinated operations across various local government areas.

These efforts have led to the capture of a notorious bandit, the arrest of a fake military officer, and the discovery of a significant amount of arms and ammunition.

In a statement issued by Captain Olubodunde Oni, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Brigade, it was revealed that troops acted swiftly following a distress call from a local hunter on 16 April 2025. The troops moved quickly to a suspected bandits’ hideout at Dutsen Kachalla in Lainde, Lau LGA.

“Upon spotting the approaching soldiers, the criminals fled into the rugged terrain. The troops chased them down and managed to recover one (1) AK-47 magazine, one (1) AK-47 rifle butt, one (1) military headgear, and a National Identification Card belonging to one Adamu Umaru Jauro,” the statement noted.

“On 19 April 2025, based on reliable intelligence, troops captured a known criminal, Yusuf Hammadu, alias “Dogo,” in Lainde Jessy, Lau LGA. Hammadu had been on the radar of security agencies for his involvement in various criminal activities. During questioning, he admitted to being part of a gang responsible for multiple kidnappings and ransom collections in Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Yorro LGAs.”

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A separate operation on 22 April 2025 led to the arrest of Richard Ogu, who had been falsely claiming to be a serving Major in the Nigerian Army.

“The suspect falsely asserted that he had been assigned to 20 Model Battalion in Gashaka. During initial questioning, Ogu admitted to having been a discharged Flight Sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force since November 22, 2019,” the statement explained. Ogu had been defrauding people by impersonating a military officer. Notably, he traded his Nissan Jeep for a Toyota Corolla worth ₦5.2 million and failed to pay the remaining balance. He also took ₦1.6 million as a deposit for supplying 350 bags of Beniseed and extorted funds from locals in Bali and Gassol LGAs, claiming to be involved in military recruitment. He even posed as the Officer Commanding the Forward Operating Base in Bali, attempting to procure firearms for community leaders.

In yet another operation on 24 April 2025, 6 Brigade troops, in collaboration with DIA operatives, carried out a successful raid at Jatau-Nyimu village in Donga LGA. The operation resulted in the recovery of eighty-six (86) rounds of 5.6MM ammunition, one (1) Tarvor magazine, four (4) cartridges, one (1) Beofeng handheld radio, three (3) single-barrel guns, and two (2) military camouflage uniforms.

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, praised the troops for their professionalism and dedication. He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to securing lasting peace in Taraba State and urged the public to continue providing timely, credible information to support their operations.

General Uwa also cautioned the public against dealing with individuals who demand money or material goods for military recruitment, emphasizing that joining the Nigerian Army is a voluntary, free, and merit-based process.

Troops capture wanted bandit, recover cache of ammunition

Police arrest two Kano men with N150m tramadol

The Kano State Police Command has arrested at least two suspected drug traffickers; Muntari Shu’aibu and Imrana Rabi’u.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori revealed that the suspects were found in possession of six bales of suspected illicit drugs, Tramadol, worth more than $92,000 (approximately N150 million).

Bakori said, “The Command, in a skilfully coordinated intelligence-led sting operation, apprehended the suspects with the substance, following a tip-off.”

He disclosed that the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to tackle the root causes of violent crimes in the state.

He stated, “The operation followed efforts of the command to curb enablers of violent crimes, which, according to him, are majorly illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the state.”

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The police chief also confirmed that the suspects had been handed over to the Kano Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

“This is in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s approach to policing and in the spirit of strengthening inter-agency synergy among security organisations,” he stated.

“The fight against drug trafficking and abuse in the state and the country at large remains a collective one,” Bakori emphasised.

“The command reiterates its commitment to collaborating with other security agencies in combating all forms of crime and criminality in the state.”

Police arrest two Kano men with N150m tramadol