FCCPC seals 5 textile warehouses over product adulteration, consumer exploitation in Kano

*The Management of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission disclose the suspected textile distributors were engaged in deceptive sale of underweight and shortened fabric materials to unsuspecting consumers in breach of the provisions of the FCCPA (2018)

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a major market cleansing operation, operatives of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Wednesday, November 5, 2025, sealed off the warehouses of five textile distributors engaged in unethical business practices.

The Management of FCCPC disclosed the suspects were engaged in deceptive sale of underweight and shortened fabric materials to unsuspecting consumers in breach of the provisions of the FCCPA (2018).

Seized adulterated textile materials being moved out of a warehouse in Kano

Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director of Surveillance and Investigation of the Commission, led the FCCPC Enforcement exercise Wednesday.

Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at FCCPC, in a statement said Wednesday’s action is a culmination of weeks-long surveillance around Kano markets by FCCPC, and the establishment of the prevalence of the sale of fabric materials significantly below the standard length or measurement indicated by retailers, while charging consumers the full price.

The Commission noted that Section 123(1) of “the FCCPA states that no retailer, trader or supplier shall, in the course of trade or for the purpose of promoting or marketing any goods, make any representation to a consumer in a manner that is false, misleading, erroneous, or deceptive in any way, including in respect of the quantity or price at which goods are supplied.”

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The statement also explained Section 125(1) of the FCCPA 2028 likewise, prohibits any undertaking from engaging in conduct that directly or indirectly implies a false or misleading representation concerning a material fact to a consumer, or prospective consumer.

Range of seized adulterated textile products

According to the Commission, the textile products involved in the sharp practices in the textile warehouses in Kano include LGR Product, U&Me Product, Nana Tex Product, V Levintus Product and Mama Africa Product, Hightex Product, UE Product, S-U Velt Product and Jisiki Product.

The FCCPC stated: “Investigations revealed that the products were imported, marketed, distributed, advertised and warehoused at Nos 238, 249, 313, 315, 413 and 428 Gandun Abada Layout; Nos 38 & 40 Ibrahim Taiwo Road; No 87 Bua Rice Mills Street; Links I, II & III Ajasa Inuwa Wada Road and No 287 Gandun Albasa New Layout in Kano City.”

Warning to product retailers, distributors and suppliers

Speaking on the development, Mr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of FCCPC, reiterated the Commission’s zero tolerance for any practice that exploits Nigerian consumers or distorts market or threatens fair competition.

Bello also said: “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.”

The FCCPC Executive Vice-Chairman, therefore, reassured the Nigerians that the Commission would continue to deploy lawful means to deter such exploitative conduct in all markets across the country.

The Commission as well reminded retailers, distributors, and suppliers across the country of their obligation under the law to provide goods that conform to declared descriptions, measurements, and standards.

Bello commended the diligence of the FCCPC team involved in the Kano operation, led by Mrs. Adeyinka and also thanked the security agencies for their cooperation in the exercise, the statement added.