Bosede Olufunmi
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed several retail outlets and warehouses in Kano for allegedly engaging in deceptive trade practices involving the sale of under-measured fabric materials.
The Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the Commission, Mrs. Bolade Adeyinka, disclosed this on Wednesday during an enforcement operation carried out in Sharada, Gandun Albasa, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, and other commercial areas within the state.
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Adeyinka explained that the operation followed weeks of discreet market surveillance and verified intelligence, which revealed that several fabric retailers were selling materials shorter than the measurements indicated on their labels, while charging customers full prices.
“Today’s exercise targets businesses involved in deceptive practices, especially those selling fabrics that fall short of the stated yardage,” she stated.
According to her, the investigation uncovered that fabrics labelled as 10 yards were in fact nine yards, while others marked five yards measured less than four and a half yards.
Adeyinka described such practices as clear violations of Sections 123 and 125 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which prohibit false, misleading, or deceptive representations of goods and services.
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She added that Sections 27 and 28 of the same Act empower the Commission to enter and search premises, as well as seize materials and documents relevant to investigations.
The FCCPC official further revealed that the Executive Vice-Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, had ordered the sealing of the affected premises pending the completion of investigations. Samples of the implicated fabrics were also confiscated for verification and quality testing.
“The sale of under-measured materials constitutes deceptive misrepresentation and violates consumers’ rights to fair, honest, and equitable dealings as provided under Sections 120 and 124 of the FCCPA,” Adeyinka said.
She warned that such fraudulent practices exploit consumers and undermine fair market competition by putting law-abiding traders at a disadvantage.
Adeyinka urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any cases of deceptive trade practices through the FCCPC’s official complaint channels.