Drama as FCCPC seals TLS visa office in Abuja
A mild drama played out on Thursday in Abuja when officers of the FCCPC stormed the office of TLScontact- Visa Application Centre Abuja office and discarded consumers and sealed the office over what Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) described as inimical services to consumer’s welfare.
Enforcement officials of FCCPC who were armed with other security officers were at the scene to disperse consumers, staff of TLS visa office as it attracted onlookers and passers-by.
The Director Surveillance and Investigation at FCCPC, Boladale Adeyinka during the enforcement exercise against TLS Visa office in an interview explained that TLS provided visa support service to Nigerian consumers and on the 25th of March, 2025, based on the consumer’s complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint as is the process of amicable resolution of consumer complaint at the Commission.
She said the officers of TLS, rather receive the consumer complaint, proceeded to assault their officers who were conducting their lawful duty of protecting and implementing the provisions of FCCPC act.
She said upon receipt of that report, the Commission directed that they should be summoned to appear before the Commission in pursuit to Section 33 of the FCCPA.
She further explained that rather than receive the summons of the commission, officers of TLC again proceeded not only to assault our officers but also assaulted uniform security police officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) who were providing lawful security for the operations of the Commission.
“Section 18 (1F) in pursuit to that provision, the Executive Vice Chairman of Commission, Mr Tunji Bello directed that the premises be sealed for conducting services that the Commission considers upon reasonable suspicion to be inimical to consumer welfare in Nigeria.
” He further directed that they the centre manager, the country manager and seniors’ office managing the operations of the company appear before the Commission on Friday, 20th of June 2025 on or before 2pm.
“To testify and give evidence on why they will wilfully obstruct the investigation processes of the Commission and why the commission should not proceed to invoke the provisions of its enactment against such practices.
“The public deserves to know the implication of the refusal to receive the summons of the Commission that they serve on you to appear.
“The Section 33 (3) FCCPC act, stipulates that any person who without sufficient cause fails or refuses to appear before the Commission in compliance with a summons commit an offense and is liable to imprisonment of 3 years or fine not exceeding N20m or both fine and imprisonment.
“Also, Subsection (4) states that a person who wilfully obstruct like TLS or interrupt the proceedings of the Commission commits an offense and liable on conviction to imprisonment of 3years or fine not exceeding 20m or both fine and imprisonment.
“The conduct of TLS and it officers contravene the provisions of the FCCPA, the property and premises for which they are conducting business has been considered inimical and their operations are suspended by sealing of the offices,” she said.
