One day following President Bola Tinubu’s disclosure of strategies to address the roots of the food crisis, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) closed Sahad Store, a well-known supermarket in Abuja’s Garki district.
The supermarket’s administration faced allegations of deceiving consumers by setting charges different from those displayed on shelf tags.
The operation was spearheaded by Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi, the FCCPC’s Interim Executive Vice Chairman.
During a media briefing at the event, Abdullahi revealed the commission’s initial findings indicated the supermarket’s management was engaging in consumer deception.
He announced the store would remain closed pending the outcome of further inquiries.
Abdullahi explained, “Our findings indicate that the store engaged in misleading pricing and opaque pricing practices, violating Section 115 (3) of the legislation, which stipulates that consumers shouldn’t be compelled to pay more than the advertised price for any goods or services.”
“According to Section 155, any business entity found in breach faces a penalty up to 100 million naira or more, while its directors could, upon conviction, face a fine of 10 million naira each, six months imprisonment, or both.
“Our action today aims to enforce compliance with the law. Despite our initial invitation for them to present their defense, which they ignored, eventually sending a lawyer who admitted to being unfamiliar with the case details.
“For the store to reopen, they must fulfill the necessary legal obligations.”
This action follows the Federal Government’s decision, in partnership with state governors, to form a committee to combat the hoarding of agricultural produce across the nation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this after a meeting President Tinubu held with governors, security agency leaders, and some ministers at the Presidential villa in Abuja, on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at the State House, Idris, who criticized some merchants for stockpiling food items, stated that security forces were instructed to work with governors to address this issue.
Idris conveyed, “President Tinubu has consented to the establishment of a committee to further the discussions from the recent meeting. Given the extensive topics discussed, this initiative will be ongoing.
“The National Security Adviser, the Director General of the state services, and the Inspector General of Police will coordinate with the state governors to examine the hoarding issue.
“The current situation demands that food be made accessible to the populace to manage prices and ensure food availability for most Nigerians. Meanwhile, some traders are hoarding these items, either to inflict hardship or to profit from the resulting scarcity.
“Hence, the governors and the President have resolved that security agencies will partner with state governors to put an end to this practice.”
