The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission has revealed that all the products in the Abuja-based Chinese Supermarket were labelled in Yen – the Chinese official currency
The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Adamu Abdullahi, made this revelation in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday.
The Chinese supermarket policy is against the law in Nigeria and implies a violation of Nigerian law.
The commission said it is still considering appropriate sanctions to be meted out against the owner of the supermarket, Liu Bei, for not allowing Nigerians to shop at the facility.
He added that the owner has also been mandated to post an open-to-all-customers notice.
Recall that Nigerians, last Sunday, kicked over the policy of the supermarket restricting entry solely to Chinese nationals, excluding Nigerians from patronising the establishment.
This report sparked widespread condemnation as Nigerians voiced their concerns over the discriminatory treatment.
He said, “Yes, she came to the commission in time and we went to the supermarket with her, she opened it and the discoveries were just enormous.
The Chinese embassy and Chamber of Commerce were there represented.
“We discovered that all the products were labelled in Yen and that is the only currency they accept.
“That is against the law in Nigeria. we don’t sell products in foreign currency. Everything sold in Nigeria should be in its currency.
“And then the issue of discrimination that they only allow into the supermarket has been confirmed and we have now instructed that she must put up a notice in front of that shop that says everybody can go into the supermarket and shop.
“Also the issue of Yen and the display of prices. We are discussing with her to put things right.”
The acting chairman said, “At the same time, we are also discussing sanctions because a wrong has been done and bad behaviours lead to consequences.
“So we would look at our law and find out what those consequences are and apply them.
“There is a fine of N10m and then 10 per cent of last year’s turnover for the company but we are still looking at the issues.”
