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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Wednesday sealed off several warehouses of textile materials in the metropolis of Kano State.
The textile warehouses, which are situated in Sharada industrial area and in other parts of the metropolis, were sealed up for engaging in deceptive sales of underweight and shortened fabric materials to unsuspecting consumers.
Speaking shortly after the enforcement exercise, FCCPC’s Director, Surveillance and Investigation, Boladale Adeyinka, said the operation followed weeks of discreet market surveillance and intelligence gathering which revealed that several retailers were selling fabric materials significantly below the standard length or the measurement indicated, while charging their consumers the full price of the fabric materials.
“Such conduct constitutes a clear violation of consumer rights under the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018,” she explained.
She added that under Section 123(1) of the FCCPA, no retailer, trader, or supplier shall, in the course of trade or for the purpose of promoting or marketing any goods, make any representation to a consumer in a manner that is false, misleading, erroneous, or deceptive in any way, including in respect of the quantity or price at which the goods are supplied.
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She noted with concern that such practices not only exploit consumers but also distort the market and threaten fair competition.
“By undermining honest traders and businesses that comply with lawful standards, these acts can drive legitimate retailers out of the market, thereby reducing consumer choice and entrenching anti-competitive behaviour,” she added.
She stressed that the sale of underweight or shortened materials constitutes deceptive representation and a breach of consumers’ right to fair, honest, and equitable dealings as guaranteed under Section 120 and Section 124(1) of the Act.
She assured that the Commission will continue to deploy lawful enforcement measures to deter such exploitative conduct in all markets across Nigeria.
She urged 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.
