FG Summons Chinese Supermarket Owner Over Discrimination

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) has summoned the owner of the Chinese supermarket located in Abuja after Nigerians raised alarm that they were not allowed to shop there.

Recall that FCCPC officials had on Monday shut down the Chinese supermarket after it was criticised for refusing to allow Nigerians access to its facility.

This follows the outrage from Nigerians on Sunday who took to social media to condemn the management of the Abuja-based Chinese supermarket denying Nigerians entry into the facility.

The supermarket situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce, along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road in the Federal Capital Territory, is acclaimed as a destination for Chinese cuisine and beverages.

Speaking with reporters on Monday after shutting down the facility, the commission’s enforcement team led by Director, Surveillance and Enforcement, Boladale Adeyinka, gave 48 hours to the owner of the facility to report to its office or the facility would remain closed.

Adeyinka also berated the owner of the supermarket, Cindy Liu Bei, and her family for fleeing the premises after the FCCPC  officials arrived.

She said, “The mission of the commission is in response to the video that went viral when consumers, particularly Nigerian consumers, were allegedly being discriminated against and prevented from accessing a supermarket located in Abuja, Nigeria.

“The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the contents of that viral video.

“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket was sealed and padlocked externally. Inquiries have shown that yes, as this morning this supermarket was opened and people were here. CCTV footage also shows that at about 9am this morning, 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 our contact details.

“Now, the summon, of course, since she’s not around and the place is locked, is to serve notice on her to appear before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by 11am of Wednesday.”