A day after President Bola Tinubu announced initiatives to address the root causes of the food crisis, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) took action by sealing Sahad Store, a popular supermarket located in the Garki area of Abuja,Daily Trust reports.
The supermarket’s management faced allegations of deceiving customers by charging prices different from those displayed on the shelves.
The enforcement operation was led by Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines, Abdullahi revealed that the commission’s initial investigation confirmed the supermarket’s malpractice in shortchanging customers.
He declared that the store would remain sealed pending further investigation.
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Abdullahi emphasized that the actions of the store management were in violation of Section 115 (3) of the law, which prohibits charging consumers prices higher than those advertised. According to Section 155, corporations found in contravention face fines of up to 100 million naira or more, while directors may be fined 10 million naira each or face imprisonment of six months, or both.
He noted that despite summoning the management to provide a defense, they failed to appear. Subsequently, they sent a lawyer who was not well-versed in the case details.
To reopen the store, Abdullahi stated that the management must comply with legal requirements.
This development follows the agreement between the Federal Government and state governors to establish a committee to address the issue of food hoarding in the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this announcement after a meeting President Tinubu held with governors, security agency heads, and some ministers in Abuja.
Idris highlighted the government’s determination to combat hoarding, stating that security agencies, in collaboration with governors, have been tasked to tackle the problem effectively.
