The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off France, Belgium and Italy visa centres at the Mukhtar El-Yakub House, Central Business District, Abuja.

The office was sealed with the combined efforts of operatives from the FCCPC, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as staff of the centre resisted the sealing.

The centre is being managed by TLS Contact, a Teleperformance Company.

Sealing off the centre on Thursday, Boladale Adeyinka, the director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department of FCCPC, said the move was due to the centre’s failure to receive a letter from the commission to investigate a consumer complaint.

Ms Adeyinka said the centre was also sealed due to obstruction of an investigation or inquiry and conducting services considered, upon reasonable suspicion, to be inimical to consumers’ welfare.

She mandated the centre to appear before the commission on June 20 to testify, make depositions, and provide evidence in relation to the failure to receive a letter from the commission to investigate a complaint and obstruction of investigation or inquiry.

Ms Adeyinka said a letter was served on them on March 25, 2025, following consumer complaints. She said the letter was served on them to address the complaints.

“The officers of TLS, rather than receive the consumer complaint, proceeded to assault our officers who were conducting the lawful duty of protecting and implementing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA). Upon receipt of that report, the commission directed that they should be summoned (1:25) to appear before the commission pursuant to section 33 of the FCCPA.

”Rather than receive the summons of the commission, officers of TLS again on June 17, proceeded not only to assault our officers but also assaulted uniformed officers of the police force who were providing lawful security for the operations of the commission.

”Section 33 stipulates that any person who without sufficient cause fails or refuses to appear before the commission in compliance with a summons commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or fine not exceeding ₦20 million or both a fine and imprisonment,” she said.

Ms Adeyinka directed that the company would be liable for all losses and expenses encountered by visa applicants as a result of the enforcement.

However, the company’s management refused to comment on the matter.

(NAN)