06/07/2026
Every day, Nigerians hand over money to developers, agents and companies on the strength of a promise, only to find out later that the promise was never true.
There's actually a law that speaks directly to this.
Section 125 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 says that no business or anyone acting for that business, is allowed to mislead you, whether through what they say or what they deliberately leave out, about anything material concerning the goods or service you're paying for.
This goes beyond just telling outright lies. It covers false claims, bait advertising (where you're lured in with one promise, then switched to something else), exaggerated or unverifiable claims and even conduct that creates a false impression without a single spoken lie.
If a real estate developer tells you land has a "clear title" when they know it doesn't or the real estate company claims your plot has been revoked by government without showing you any real proof, that's a classic Section 125 violation and this law isn't just words on paper.
A business found guilty of violating Section 125 can face real consequences such as fines running into millions of naira, imprisonment of its principal officers of the company or both.
The FCCPC has also shown it's willing to act especially as several real estate companies have had their offices sealed in recent months over exactly this kind of exploitative behaviour. This is a regulatory tool with actual teeth.
The problem is that most Nigerians don't know this protection exists, so they quietly absorb the loss and move on, telling themselves there's nothing to be done.
Being misled shouldn't just be "part of life" here. Whether it's real estate, retail or any service you're paying for, you have a right to honest, accurate information before you part with your money.
If a business has misled you in the past, a product that doesn't match what was advertised or a service that wasn't delivered as promised, you don't have to figure out your next step alone.
Download the Case Radar App today to get legal advice and connect with lawyers anytime, anywhere.
We will help you understand your rights, put the right letter together and connect you with a lawyer to help you get the remedy you deserve.
Know your rights before someone takes advantage of you.
