Abuja-based lawyer and Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social Economic Rights (CASER), Barrister Frank Tietie, has lashed out at the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for shutting down popular Abuja shopping outlet, Sahad Stores in Area 11 of Garki District.
Recall that earlier on Friday, FCCPC officials sealed off the head office of Sahad supermarket over customers extortion and lack of transparency in prices.
Dr Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, while sealing off the premises, said the act was an obnoxious practice which amounted to violation of rights under the FCCP Act.
He said the practice contravened Section 155 (3) of the FCCPA and the fine amounted to N100 million or more.
”We found out that they are contravening this law and made sure that we came to tell them that our mandate is very clear.
”What we have come here today to do is to make sure that they complied with the law.
”We called them to defend themselves but they failed to show up and in the long run, they sent a lawyer and the lawyer is not familiar with the case but we requested for names of people that we wanted to come and defend them.
”Those people refused to come and these are the people in charge of retail, fix prices on the computer system and shelves.
”We do not have a choice than to seal off the premises until they comply with the provisions of the law,” Abdullahi said.
He said that the Commission would continue to protect the citizens in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda.
The FCCPC boss said the Commission would continue to monitor supermarkets to make sure they complied with the law.
Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, the Director Surveillance and Investigations Department of FCCPC, said that price tags on products on the shelves of the supermarket were different from prices at the pay point computers.
Adeyinka said that even the same products and brand had different prices.
”The same products, the same brand has different prices. One is N5,000 while one is N6,000.
”Imagine if you buy 10 pairs, that means you have been short-changed by N10,000.
”In this period, we want people to have maximum value for their money,” she said.
Mr Salisu Zango, an official of Sahad Supermarket, admitted that the store had engaged in the practice but had since made amends.
”We have corrected it,” he said.
Lamenting the sealing of the stores, Barrister Tietie noted that it is one of Abuja’s most consumer friendly super stores with highly courteous staff and boasts of a collection of household supplies and appliances at highly affordable prices. I can attest to that.
He adds, “What is however of utmost consideration when authorities shut down businesses is that regulators must exercise some restraint in applying sanctions.
“Shutting down the operations of one of Abuja’s biggest employers of labour does not serve the interest of an already battered economy where businesses are finding it hard to survive and struggling against the odds of high energy prices with near endless taxes.
“In the absence of an emergency hazard, fines and ultimately imprisonment of erring officers are better forms of deterrence than causing irreparable losses to businesses which serve larger societal interests.
“The FCCPC action in shutting down Sahad Stores is counterproductive, authoritarian and highly unprogressive.
“The FCCPC must therefore, as a commission which serves consumers’ interests, immediately unseal Sahad Stores to allow its operations to continue while it deals with the persons it considers as delinquents. “This is to avoid the huge losses the stores would incur especially in terms of loss of customers and failure to meet its obligations to supplies.
“The FCCPC should further issue a statement clarifying its actions so that the situation may not reoccur with other businesses.
“For many of us, Abuja residents, the Sahad brand is now beyond the interest of its owners. It is an iconic Abuja brand. Therefore it is ours to protect and preserve.”
