House of Reps Undermines Rule of Law with DEON Regulations
The House of Representatives' actions on the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations) have raised concerns about its commitment to upholding the rule of law. By circulating a letter purporting to place binding regulations 'in abeyance,' the Special Ad-Hoc Committee on Overlapping Jurisdictions, Procedural Gaps and Investor Concerns overstepped its constitutional bounds. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has clarified that the DEON Regulations remain valid and enforceable, highlighting the need for the House to respect the laws it has passed. The consequences of this failure include undermining consumer protection, distorting the market, and weakening Nigeria's competition framework. Will the House of Representatives correct its course and reaffirm the enforceability of duly issued regulations, or will it continue to undermine the rule of law?