FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the visa application centres of France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja following a consumer complaint and alleged obstruction of investigation.

The centres, located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District, were shut down on Thursday by FCCPC operatives, accompanied by personnel from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. According to the FCCPC, staff of the visa centres resisted the enforcement exercise.

Director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department at the FCCPC, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, said the action was taken after the centres failed to acknowledge a letter sent by the Commission regarding an ongoing investigation into a consumer complaint.

She explained that the sealing was also due to obstruction of official investigation and the provision of services suspected to be harmful to consumer welfare.

She stated, “This is an enforcement operation against TLS. 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.

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“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).”

Adeyinka added that the FCCPC subsequently summoned the company to appear before it under Section 33 of the FCCPA.

“Upon receipt of that report, the commission directed that they should be summoned 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,” she said.

She cited Section 33 of the FCCPA, which 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 fine and imprisonment.”

Adeyinka noted that the company will be held accountable for any losses or expenses incurred by visa applicants due to the closure.

Despite requests for comment, the management of the company did not respond.

The visa centres are operated by TLS Contact, a Teleperformance company.

 

FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

NAN