The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the Abuja-based Chinese supermarket located within the China General Chamber of Commerce in Abuja.
The development followed allegations of discriminatory practices against Nigerians.
The FCCPC officials shut the supermarket when they stormed the premises on Monday.
The commission’s officials sealed up the place after interrogating Nigerian workers at the supermarket.
This was as facilities workers at the store disclosed that the owner of the supermarket had fled the premises.
Shock, outrage as Chinese supermarket In Abuja bars Nigerians
The workers mostly Nigerians stated this on Monday when the officials of the Commission stormed the supermarket.
FCCPC thereafter summoned the owner of a Chinese supermarket located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for alleged restriction of Nigerians.
The workers said that the owner of the supermarket, a Chinese lady, Cindy Liu Bei, fled on Monday at 8:26 am with her family as confirmed on the Closed-Circuit Television camera.
The FCCPC officials subsequently shut down the supermarket.
The supermarket located at Royal Choice Estate, Lugbe, allegedly permits only Chinese citizens access to purchase groceries.
BRANDPOWER reports that the supermarket was under lock and key when officials of the FCCPC visited in reaction to a viral video where citizens frowned at the supermarket’s policy.
Ms Boladale Adeyinka, the Director, Surveillance and Investigations of FCCPC, who led the team, said the essence of the investigation was to verify the allegations and the contents of that viral video.
”On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally.
”Inquiries have shown that yes, as at this morning this supermarket was opened and people were here.
”CCTV footage also shows that at about 8:29 a.m., two vehicles departed from these premises allegedly containing the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have her contact details.
”Now the summon is to serve notice on her to appear before the FCCPC by April 24 at 11 a. m.
”There are other regulatory tools to be deployed if she fails to honour this summons, ” she said.
Adeyinka said that if the owner of the supermarket failed to hour the summon, the commission under its powers, would seal the premises until she complied.
Mr Sanusi Shuiabu, the Estate Assistant Facilities Manager, said the supermarket was primarily established to cater for the groceries needs of Chinese residents and other tenants of the estate.
He said that there were no agreement restricting the supermarket to Chinese residents only.
Shuiabu said the owner of the supermarket who he simply identified as Cindy was a tenant in the estate.
BRANDPOWER reports that the supermarket was under lock and key when the FCCPC official visited.
