The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the TLScontact visa application centre in Abuja over allegations of extortion, poor service delivery, and obstruction of lawful investigation. This is where Nigerians apply for visas for Belgium, France and Italy.
The visa centre, situated at the Central Business District, was shut down on Thursday following multiple consumer complaints and repeated disregard for the Commission’s directives.
According to Boladale Adeyinka, Director of Surveillance and Investigations at FCCPC, the Commission had earlier served TLS a formal letter on March 25, 2025, requesting a response to complaints of extortion and failure to deliver services paid for by applicants. Rather than cooperate, officials of the centre reportedly assaulted FCCPC officers who were on lawful duty.
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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,” Adeyinka said during the enforcement operation.
According to Adeyinka, The visa centre assaulted not just FCCPC officials but also uniformed police officers accompanying the team. Following this, the Commission invoked Section 18(1)(f) of the FCCPA, which empowers it to seal premises suspected to be operating in a manner harmful to consumer welfare.
The FCCPC noted that despite multiple invitations and summons, TLS management failed to appear before the Commission to address the concerns raised. The sealing of the premises is considered a temporary but necessary enforcement measure.
She added that Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, has therefore directed that the centre manager, country manager, and other senior officers must appear before the Commission by 2pm on Friday, June 20, 2025. They are expected to explain the company’s conduct and why the Commission should not proceed with further sanctions under the law.
“They are required to appear at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission before 2 p.m. to testify and give evidence on why they willfully obstruct the investigation processes of the commission and why the commission should not proceed to invoke the provisions of its enactment against such practices. Let me read for the purposes of public enlightenment,” Adeyinka said.
Citing Section 33 of the FCCPA, Adeyinka warned that any individual or entity that fails to honour a lawful summons or obstructs an investigation could face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine not exceeding ₦20 million, or both.
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“Any person, that’s section 33, subsection 3 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council Act, stipulates that any person who, without sufficient cause, fails or refuses to appear before the commission in compliance with a summons, commits an offense, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or fine not exceeding 20 million naira, or both fine and imprisonment,” she explained
Several applicants and staff were evacuated from the premises during the operation,The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerian consumers and holding violators accountable.
