The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) took action against an Abuja-based Chinese supermarket, situated within the China General Chamber of Commerce in Abuja, amid accusations of discriminatory conduct towards Nigerians.
Officials from the FCCPC closed the supermarket after conducting an investigation and speaking with Nigerian employees on the premises.
According to reports, the owner, Cindy Liu Bei, and her family fled the scene, prompting the FCCPC to seal off the supermarket.
Earlier, the supermarket faced criticism for implementing a policy that only allowed entry to Chinese nationals, excluding Nigerians.
In response to the viral video depicting alleged discrimination, FCCPC Director for Surveillance and Investigation, Boladale Adeyinka, led a team to the supermarket to address the issue.
After concluding the enforcement exercise, Adeyinka confirmed the departure of the owner and her family, as captured by Closed-Circuit Television cameras.
She said, “The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the content of that viral video.
“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Inquiries have shown that yes, as this morning this supermarket was open and people were here.
“CCTV footage also shows that in the morning, two vehicles departed from these very premises allegedly containing the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have her contact details.”
She further directed that the owner appear before the commission tribunal or the compound will remain sealed.
“Now the summons of course since she’s not around and the place is locked, is to serve notice on her to appear before the federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by Wednesday
“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed, if she fails to attend to this summon. The summons means that on entering into these premises they must see the summon because that is how they gain access to it”, she said.
She added that if the Chinese owner fails to attend to the summon which is a lawful inquiry, the mandate of the commission under its powers will seal the premises until she comes to the commission, meaning that the place will remain locked until she appears before the commission.
The FCCPC officials subsequently sealed the supermarket.
