The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has sealed five textile warehouses in Kano for allegedly engaging in deceptive trade practices.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the Commission, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, on Wednesday, a Copy of which was made available to The Punch on Wednesday.
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Ijagwu said the enforcement followed weeks of surveillance in major textile markets in Kano, which revealed that some retailers were selling underweight and shortened fabric materials to unsuspecting consumers at full price.
“The affected distributors were found selling fabric materials significantly below the standard length indicated on the packaging, thereby violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018,” he said.
According to him, the operation, led by the Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, covered warehouses located at Gandun Abada Layout, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Bua Rice Mills Street, Ajasa Inuwa Wada Road, and Gandun Albasa New Layout in Kano metropolis.
Ijagwu listed the textile brands implicated in the alleged sharp practices to include LGR, U&Me, Nana Tex, V Levintus, Mama Africa, Hightex, UE, S-U Velt, and Jisiki.
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He said the Commission, quoting relevant sections of the law, reminded traders that Section 123(1) of the FCCPA prohibits false or misleading representation of goods, including in respect of quantity or price, while Section 125(1) forbids deceptive claims to consumers.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Mr Tunji Bello, described the practice as exploitative and detrimental to fair competition.
“By undermining honest traders and businesses that comply with lawful standards, this nefarious practice of selling underweight products can drive legitimate retailers out of the market, thereby reducing consumer choice and entrenching anti-competitive behaviour,” Bello said.
He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s zero tolerance for unethical business conduct and warned that the commission would continue to deploy lawful means to curb such exploitation in markets across the country.
Bello commended the diligence of the enforcement team and appreciated the support of security agencies during the operation.
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“This operation underscores the FCCPC’s commitment to ensuring a fair marketplace, protecting consumers from fraudulent practices, and promoting trust and integrity within Nigeria’s retail ecosystem,”:it said.
The FCCPC also urges consumers to remain vigilant, insist on their rights, and report any suspected cases of deceptive trade practices to the Commission through its official complaint channels.
