Get Guardian on GoogleThe Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned that it will begin to sanction businesses that fail to attend consumer complaint mediation sessions.
LASCOPA’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Afolabi Solebo, issued the warning while speaking with journalists yesterday.
He urged manufacturers, retailers and service providers to comply with the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law 2025, as amended, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.
He stressed that businesses that fail to honour scheduled mediation sessions over legitimate consumer complaints could face sanctions, adding that affected premises may be sealed where authorised by law.
“LASCOPA will now sanction businesses that deliberately fail to honour scheduled mediation sessions on legitimate consumer complaints. Where authorised by law, affected premises may be sealed. All businesses are required to treat consumer complaints and redress processes with utmost seriousness,” he said.
The agency also identified several practices that could prompt regulatory intervention, including unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, deceptive pricing and hidden charges. He added that poor service delivery may also attract regulatory action.
“The manufacture or sale of substandard, counterfeit or unsafe products could equally lead to intervention,” he said.
Solebo warned that businesses found to have violated applicable consumer protection laws could face penalties, including fines, enforcement orders, and suspension of operations, prosecution or the sealing of their premises.
He appealed to consumers with unresolved complaints to remain patient, noting that delays often occur when businesses ignore invitations to mediation sessions.
He also urged consumers to retain receipts, invoices, warranties and other relevant records when submitting complaints to support their claims.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to consumer protection and the development of a fair business environment in Lagos.
Solebo said consumer protection was a shared responsibility, with businesses and consumers both playing a role in building a transparent and accountable marketplace.
He said the agency remained committed to ensuring that consumers receive value for money and satisfaction from the products and services they purchased and urged residents not to remain silent when their consumer rights were violated, noting that LASCOPA exists to ensure businesses operate fairly and that consumers can seek redress when treated unfairly.
