The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed a visa application centre, TLSContact, over alleged obstruction of the Commission’s investigation into a consumer complaint.
The operation occurred at the TLSContact office in Abuja, in the company of police officers and other security operatives, and was monitored by Naijaonpoint.
Naijaonpoint reports that FCCPC officials targeted the office, asked staff to leave, and then shut down and eventually sealed the office.
“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,” she alleged.
The summons, seen by Naijaonpoint, was addressed to: The Country Manager, TLSContact, A Teleperformance Company, Visa Application Centre,
It partly reads:
“Pursuant to the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the ‘Commission’) under Sections 32 and 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA), you are hereby summoned to appear, produce, and provide all documents before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission at 23 Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on or before 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, June 20, 2025, to testify, make depositions, and provide evidence in relation to failure to receive a letter of the Commission to investigate a complaint and obstruction of investigation or inquiry pursuant to Section 110 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA) and to so remain until excused.”
As documents were being signed, the office was sealed, but the TLS official did not address the press.
Section 33, subsection 3 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 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 a fine not exceeding 20 million Naira, or both.
Subsection 4 further states that a person who willfully obstructs or interrupts the proceedings of the Commission commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or a fine not exceeding 20 million Naira, or both.
The development against TLS remains an allegation in the eyes of the law until a relevant court or regulatory authority declares otherwise, if necessary.