Customer Wins Legal Battle as Court Backs FCCPC Order Against Coscharis Motors

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to shut down Coscharis Motors over a dispute involving a defective Range Rover Sport sold to a customer, Florence Ozor.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order while delivering judgment on a motion for judicial review filed by Ozor. The FCCPC was listed as a respondent in the suit.
According to details of the case, Ozor purchased a 2024 Range Rover Sport from Coscharis Motors in September 2024 and began using the vehicle in November of the same year. However, within six months, the vehicle reportedly developed recurring faults, including a defective right taillight.
The customer informed the FCCPC that despite several repair attempts, the faults persisted. She subsequently filed a complaint with the commission, alleging that the company supplied her with a defective vehicle in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
In response, the FCCPC wrote to Coscharis Motors on July 16, 2025, requesting a detailed report on the defects and actions taken to remedy them. The commission later convened a mediation meeting on August 15, 2025, attended by both parties.
During the mediation, Coscharis Motors proposed three settlement options: returning the repaired vehicle with an extra one-year warranty, replacing the vehicle with another of the same model while sharing the cost difference among the complainant, the dealer, and the manufacturer, or refunding the purchase price.
Ozor rejected the refund option and insisted that any replacement vehicle should come at no additional cost.
After reviewing the complaint and relevant provisions of the FCCPA 2018, the FCCPC ruled that Coscharis Motors supplied defective goods and was liable to provide an appropriate remedy.
The commission ordered the dealer to provide the complainant with a new 2024 Range Rover Sport at no additional cost for a two-month trial period. It also stated that if similar defects occurred during the trial period, the company must refund the current price of a 2024 Range Rover Sport, taking into account any earlier discounts.
Alternatively, the FCCPC said the dealer could provide a 2025 model if the complainant agreed to pay the price difference between the 2025 model and the amount previously paid for the 2024 vehicle.
The order, signed by the FCCPC’s Head of Legal Services, Nsitem Chizenum, on September 18, 2025, directed the dealer to comply within 14 business days.
However, after the expiration of the compliance period, Coscharis Motors reportedly failed to comply with the settlement terms. Court documents showed that instead of obeying the order, the dealer approached the FCCPC without the knowledge of the complainant, leading to additional meetings where previously rejected settlement options were reintroduced.
The vehicle has remained with the dealer since the FCCPC commenced its investigation.
Dissatisfied with the development, Ozor approached the court seeking an order compelling the FCCPC to enforce its September 2025 directives.
During proceedings, counsel to the FCCPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that it was premature and constituted an abuse of court process.
In his judgment, Justice Nwite held that the FCCPC failed to enforce its own directives despite the dealer’s non-compliance.
The court subsequently granted an order of mandamus compelling the FCCPC to enforce its compliance notice and exercise its statutory powers under the FCCPA 2018 to protect consumers.
The judge declared that the FCCPC, as a government agency, is bound by its own orders unless set aside by a competent court or until a compliance certificate is issued.
Justice Nwite further directed the commission to invoke its powers under Section 150(4) of the FCCPA, including shutting down the dealer’s premises or imposing administrative sanctions until compliance is achieved.