FCCPC Shuts Down France, Belgium, Italy Visa Centres Over Assault, Unfair Practices
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the Abuja office of Contact Teleperformance Company (TLC), operators of the France, Belgium, and Italy visa application centres, over alleged obstruction of investigation, assault, and consumer rights violations.
FCCPC Director of Surveillance and Investigations, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, led the enforcement team to the premises and said the action followed mounting complaints from Nigerians who paid for visa services that were never delivered.
She disclosed that an investigation into TLS began in March 2025 after several complaints were lodged.
According to her, the company was served a letter on March 25 as part of the Commission’s standard complaint resolution procedure, but rather than cooperate, the company’s officials assaulted FCCPC personnel during enforcement operations.
Adeyinka added that the situation escalated when TLS staff refused to receive a summons and allegedly assaulted police officers accompanying the FCCPC team.
“In line with Section 18(1)(f) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, the Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, directed the sealing of the premises,” she said.
She stated that the Commission has reasonable grounds to believe that TLS’s services are harmful to consumers, prompting its suspension pending further investigation.
TLS senior officials, including the country and centre managers, have been summoned to appear before the Commission by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Adeyinka warned the company against ignoring the summons, stressing that refusal attracts up to three years imprisonment, a ₦20 million fine, or both, as stipulated in Section 33(3) and (4) of the FCCPC Act.
She urged affected Nigerians to submit evidence of failed service delivery, stating that the action taken serves as a warning to other service providers that the Commission will not hesitate to act against violators of consumer rights.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
