The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed four textile warehouses and several retail outlets in Kano State for allegedly engaging in deceptive trade practices involving the sale of under-measured and substandard fabric materials.
The enforcement exercise, which took place on Wednesday, was led by the Commission’s Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka. It followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering across major textile markets in the state.
According to the FCCPC, the affected distributors were found to be selling fabric materials significantly shorter or lighter than the measurements and quantities indicated, thereby charging unsuspecting consumers full prices for underweight goods.
The operation targeted warehouses and outlets located at Gandun Abada Layout, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Bua Rice Mills Street, Ajasa Inuwa Wada Road, and Gandun Albasa New Layout in Kano metropolis.
Products implicated in the deceptive practices include LGR, UandMe, Nana Tex, V Levintus, Mama Africa, Hightex, UE, S-U Velt, and Jisiki textile brands.
The Commission noted that such conduct contravenes Sections 123(1) and 125(1) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which prohibit misleading representations and deceptive practices in trade.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, condemned the exploitative activities, describing them as harmful to both consumers and fair market competition.
‘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,’ Bello said.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring fairness in the marketplace, warning that the agency will continue to sanction individuals and entities involved in deceptive conduct across the country.
Bello also commended the diligence of the enforcement team led by Mrs Adeyinka and expressed appreciation to security agencies for their cooperation during the operation.