Following President Bola Tinubu’s recent pledge to address food crisis factors, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) took swift action by sealing Sahad Store, a prominent supermarket in Abuja’s Garki area.
The move came after accusations surfaced of the supermarket engaging in deceptive pricing tactics, allegedly charging customers prices inconsistent with those displayed on shelves.
Led by FCCPC Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi, the enforcement highlighted the commission’s commitment to upholding consumer rights and transparency in pricing.
Abdullahi revealed that preliminary investigations substantiated claims of price manipulation, prompting the store’s closure pending further inquiry.
“What we have found out that these people are doing is misleading pricing and lack of transparency in the pricing, which is against Section 115 (3) of the law that says a consumer is not required to pay a price for any good or service higher than the one that’s on display.
“Section 155 states that any corporate person that contravenes is liable to a fine of 100 million naira or even more and the directors of the company themselves are liable upon conviction payment of 10 million naira each or imprisonment of six months or both.
“What we have done today is to make sure that they comply with the law. We initially called them to come and defend themselves, but failed to show up. In the long run, they sent a lawyer whom we asked if he was familiar with the facts of the case. He said he wasn’t.
“To unseal the store, they have to make sure that they do what is required to be done.”
This development follows the Federal Government’s concerted efforts to combat food hoarding, as revealed during a meeting between President Tinubu, state governors, security agency heads, and ministers.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the government’s resolve to address commodity hoarding, directing security agencies to collaborate with governors to ensure fair pricing and alleviate food scarcity.
