The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has sealed five textile warehouses in Kano State over allegations of engaging in deceptive trade practices.
According to the commission, the affected distributors were caught selling underweight and shortened fabric materials to unsuspecting customers, violating the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA, 2018.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC explained that the enforcement action came after several weeks of surveillance in major Kano markets.
The commission stated that retailers were selling fabric materials significantly below the standard length indicated while charging consumers full price.
The enforcement operation, led by Boladale Adeyinka, the Director of Surveillance and Investigation, focused on warehouses located in Gandun Abada Layout, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Bua Rice Mills Street, Ajasa Inuwa Wada Road, and Gandun Albasa New Layout, all in Kano.
The textile brands implicated in the alleged fraudulent practices include LGR, U&Me, Nana Tex, V Levintus, Mama Africa, Hightex, UE, S-U Velt, and Jisiki.
Citing relevant provisions of the law, the FCCPC reminded traders that Section 123(1) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act prohibits false or misleading representation of goods, including in respect of quantity or price, while Section 125(1) forbids deceptive claims to consumers.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, described the act as exploitative and harmful to fair market practices.
“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,” he said.
Bello reiterated the commission’s firm stance against unethical trade practices and assured that the FCCPC would continue to use lawful enforcement strategies to protect consumers and ensure fair competition nationwide.
He also commended the efforts of the enforcement team and appreciated the cooperation of security agencies that supported the successful execution of the operation.
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