Mohammed Shosanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC),on Monday stormed the Chinese Supermarket in Abuja, where there have been allegations that Nigerians are not allowed to patronise or enter it.
Nigerians had expressed outrage over a discriminatory policy implemented by the Chinese Supermarket which restricted entry exclusively to its citizens and barred Nigerians.
On arrival at the Supermaket located at Royal Choice Estate along Airport Road, situated at the Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Abuja, the gate of the Supermarket was under lock and key.
All attempts made by the enforcement team from the FCCPC to gain entry to the premises of the Supermarket proved abortive.
The team pasted a letter of summon at the gate of the supermarket.
Addressing newsmen at the entry gate of the supermarket, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director, Surveilance and Investigation, FCCPC, said the mission of the Commission, was in response to the viral video where Nigerian consumers were allegedly being discriminated against and prevented access into the supermarket located in Abuja.
She added:”The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the contents of that viral video.
“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket, which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Enquiries have shown that yes, as at this morning, this supermarket was opened and people were here.
“CCTV footage also shows that at about 8: 29am, two vehicles departed from these premises allegedly conveying the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have her contact details.
“Since she’s not around and the place is locked, we have served a notice on her to appear before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC) on Wednesday, 24th of April, 2024 by 11am.
“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed, if she fails to attend to this summon.”
Speaking further on the event of failure of the owner of the supermarket to honour the summon, Adeyinka said: “If she fails to attend to this summon, which is a lawful inquiry, the mandate of the Commission under its powers, is investigative powers, is to seal the premises until she complies with the summons of the Commission, meaning that this place will remain locked until she appears before the Commission, that is, if she fails to voluntarily surrender to the summons that we have issued on this.”
She warned that it is unlawful to discriminate against any person in Nigeria by foreigners, adding that the Commission would not condone such act.
