The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Mr Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meta Platforms Incorporated, to immediately pay the $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and upheld by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal.
This was contained in a publication on the group’s website on Sunday, April 27.
According to the publication, in an open letter dated Saturday, 26 April 2025, SERAP also urged Mr Zuckerberg and Meta to provide justice and effective remedies, including adequate compensation and guarantees of non-repetition, for the victims of the violations of Nigerian consumer, data protection, and privacy laws on its
The group further asked Meta to pay the $35,000 awarded by the Tribunal to the FCCPC as the cost of investigation.
“SERAP urges Mr Zuckerberg and Meta to immediately halt the violations found by the Tribunal and prevent their re-occurrence, as well as ensure the accountability of any person(s) responsible for the violations,” the letter, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, read.
Last Friday, the Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s $220 million fine against Meta for what it described as grave violations of consumer rights and privacy standards.
“As Chairman and CEO, you ought to ensure enhanced transparency, human rights due diligence, accountability and remediation by Meta to ensure that Nigerians’ human rights are not threatened or violated,” SERAP stated.
According to the letter, “The Tribunal’s judgment confirms that the operations of Meta (Facebook) in Nigeria have violated Nigerians’ human rights and continued to have a chilling effect on the enjoyment of human rights on Meta platforms.”
SERAP expressed concern that the violations could be ongoing and risk recurring if not effectively addressed. It urged Meta to resist the temptation of appealing the Tribunal’s judgment under Section 55 of the FCCP Act, warning against prolonging the victims’ suffering.
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“The Tribunal’s judgment also shows clear and strong evidence that the operations of Meta in Nigeria are inconsistent and incompatible with international human rights standards including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” the organisation added.
SERAP warned that if Meta failed to comply within seven days, it would take appropriate legal actions at the national, regional, or international levels.
“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other applicable international human standards binding on Meta,” it stressed.
The group noted that Meta’s operations grossly violated both Nigerian laws and international standards, adding, “Meta should seek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly linked to its operations, products or services.”
SERAP also said, “Your companies also have the responsibility to contribute to and facilitate the exercise of the rights to privacy and to ensure data security and privacy, and ensure that the use of data is in compliance with international human rights law.”
It cited Section 152 of the FCCP Act, which provides that consumers have the right to seek civil action for compensation when their rights are violated.
SERAP noted that the Tribunal’s ruling followed an earlier administrative penalty imposed by the FCCPC on Meta in July 2024 after a 38-month joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
In its concluding demands, SERAP urged Mr Zuckerberg and Meta to; Publicly commit to paying the $220 million fine and the $35,000 investigation cost, Identify and compensate victims, Halt the unlawful practices and ensure they do not recur.
As well as to disclose any human rights due diligence measures taken, Explain how Meta applies human rights principles in its Nigerian operations, and publish transparency reports detailing compliance with international human rights standards.