The Lagos State Government has called on residents and consumers across the state to report cases of unfair treatment, exploitation, and unethical business practices to the appropriate consumer protection and regulatory agencies for investigation and redress, rather than going directly to the Police.
The directive was issued on Monday during a mediation session at the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) office in Ikeja by the agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, according to a statement posted on the official X handle of the Lagos State Government on Tuesday.
He stated that consumer protection agencies are established to safeguard the rights and interests of consumers and to promote fair and ethical business practices within the marketplace.
He said issues that should be reported to consumer protection agencies include the sale of fake, substandard, hazardous, or expired products; false advertising and deceptive business practices; overpricing and hidden charges; unfulfilled promotions or discounts; poor service delivery; refusal to honour warranties or agreements; as well as other forms of consumer exploitation and abuse.
Mr Solebo further encouraged consumers to always retain receipts, invoices, product packaging, warranties, and other relevant documents as evidence to support their complaints and facilitate prompt resolution of disputes.
READ ALSO: NAFDAC uncovers illegal alcohol factories in Lagos, seizes N350 million worth of adulterated drinksÂ
He reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to protecting consumers against unfair and unethical practices and urged residents to make use of the appropriate regulatory channels when seeking redress.
He appealed to Divisional Police Stations, Area Commands, State Commands, Zonal Commands of the Nigeria Police Force or other Government Law Enforcement Agencies to refer consumer protection-related complaints to agencies legally established and empowered to address violations of consumer rights.
He implored legal practitioners to advise their clients to seek redress through LASCOPA in matters relating to breaches or violations of consumer rights before resorting to litigation in court.
Mr Solebo encouraged consumers to understand their fundamental rights and responsibilities, stressing the importance of speaking up and reporting violations responsibly.
He advised consumers to report complaints to LASCOPA or the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) through their official social media platforms or via their hotlines.
