The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, has revealed shocking details about the discriminatory practices at the troubled Abuja Chinese supermarket.
In an interview with Channels TVhi disclosed that all products in the supermarket were priced in Chinese yen, violating Nigerian law.
Abdullahi emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “The discovery was enormous when our officials got to the supermarket. All the products are labelled in yen, and that is the only currency accepted in the supermarket, yen. That is completely against the law in Nigeria.”
Moreover, Abdullahi confirmed allegations of discrimination, noting that only Chinese individuals were permitted entry into the supermarket, excluding Nigerian residents from the estate. He stressed the importance of upholding Nigerian laws and ensuring equal access to services for all citizens.
“We also confirmed that they only allow Chinese people into the supermarket. We have now instructed that the owner must put up a notice that says everybody can go into the supermarket and shop. We are discussing with her to put things right,” Abdullahi asserted.
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Addressing the consequences of such discriminatory practices, Abdullahi announced that the FCCPC would impose sanctions on the supermarket. He revealed that 10% of the company’s turnover from last year’s sales would be forfeited as part of the fine imposed for violating Nigerian laws and discriminating against Nigerians.
“We look at our laws see what the consequences are, and then apply the full wrath of the law. There will be fines and then 10% turnover from the company’s last year’s sales,” Abdullahi explained.
The FCCPC’s decisive action emphasizes the seriousness with which discriminatory practices are being addressed in Nigeria.
Abdullahi emphasized that such behavior would not go unpunished, stressing that “bad behaviors lead to consequences.”
Recall that the FCCPC officials shut the supermarket when they stormed the premises last Monday, April 22, 2024.
However, the FCCPC’s Director for Surveillance and Investigation, Boladale Adeyinka, spoke about the enforcement of regulatory laws and stressed that the mission of the commission was to respond to infractions as shown in the video.
Adeyinka said: “The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the content of that viral video.
“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Inquiries have shown that yes, as this morning this supermarket was open and people were here.
“CCTV footage also shows that in the morning, two vehicles departed from these very premises allegedly containing the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have our contact details.
“Now the summons, of course since she’s not around and the place is locked, is to serve notice on her to appear before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by Wednesday 11 am Wednesday 20/24 of April 2024 by 11 am.
“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed if she fails to attend to this summons. The summons means that on entering into these premises they must see the summon because that is how they gain access to it,” Adeyinka said.