By Nkechi Eze
In a decisive move to protect consumers and uphold fair market practices, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, sealed off five major textile warehouses in Kano State for allegedly engaging in deceptive and unethical trading activities.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, the enforcement operation was led by the Commission’s Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka. The operation followed weeks of discreet surveillance in several Kano markets, during which investigators established that some textile distributors were selling underweight and shortened fabric materials to unsuspecting buyers while charging them full price.
The affected distributors were found to have violated multiple provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which strictly prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive representations in the sale and promotion of goods.
Specifically, Section 123(1) of the Act provides that no retailer, trader, or supplier shall, in the course of trade, make any false or misleading representation to a consumer regarding the quality, quantity, or price of goods. Similarly, Section 125(1) prohibits any undertaking from engaging in conduct that directly or indirectly implies false or misleading representations concerning material facts to consumers.
Textile brands implicated in the malpractices include LGR Product, U&Me Product, Nana Tex Product, V Levintus Product, Mama Africa Product, Hightex Product, UE Product, S-U Velt Product, and Jisiki Product. These products were reportedly imported, marketed, and distributed through several warehouse outlets located at Nos. 238, 249, 313, 315, 413, and 428 Gandun Abada Layout; Nos. 38 and 40 Ibrahim Taiwo Road; No. 87 Bua Rice Mills Street; Links I, II, and III Ajasa Inuwa Wada Road; and No. 287 Gandun Albasa New Layout, all within Kano metropolis.
Speaking on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, condemned the exploitative practices, warning that such actions not only cheat consumers but also undermine fair competition within the market.
“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,” Mr. Bello stated.
He further assured Nigerians that the Commission will sustain its nationwide enforcement drive to identify and sanction businesses that exploit consumers or distort market fairness. He also reminded all retailers, distributors, and suppliers of their legal obligation to ensure that products conform to declared descriptions, measurements, and quality standards.
The FCCPC boss commended the diligence and professionalism of the Commission’s enforcement team, led by Mrs. Adeyinka, and expressed appreciation to the security agencies for their cooperation throughout the operation.
Mr. Bello reiterated that the Commission remains unwavering in its mandate to safeguard consumers, promote fair competition, and ensure that Nigeria’s markets remain transparent, efficient, and trustworthy for all.
