The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the visa centres of France, Belgium and Italy at the Mukhtar El-Yakub House, Central Business District, Abuja.
TLS Contact, a teleperformance company, manages the centre.
The FCCPC said the office was sealed in collaboration with the Nigerian police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as staff of the centre resisted the sealing.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise on Thursday, Boladale Adeyinka, the director of surveillance and investigations department of the FCCPC, said the move was due to the failure of the centre to receive a letter from the commission to investigate a consumer complaint.
Adeyinka said the centre was also sealed due to obstruction of investigation or inquiry, and conducting services considered, “upon reasonable suspicion, to be inimical to consumers’ welfare”.
She mandated the company to appear before the commission on June 20 to testify, take depositions, and provide evidence regarding failure to receive a letter from the FCCPC to investigate a complaint.
“This is an enforcement operation against TLS,” Adeyinka said.
“As you are aware, they provide visa support services to Nigerian consumers.
“On the 25th of March 2025, based on a consumer complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint, as is the process of amicable resolution of consumer complaints at the commission.
“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 a fine not exceeding N20 million or both fine and imprisonment.”
Adeyinka said the company would be liable for all losses and expenses encountered by visa applicants due to the enforcement.
