there is no gain saying the fact that most Nigerian consumers are ignorant of the existing laws that protect them from exploitation. As a matter of fact, final Consumer who are yet to know the existing Consumer laws protecting them as well as it’s implication are often the victim of circumstances
The resultant effect of this, is the continued abuse and neglect of Consumers and the unimaginable increase in the number of fake and substandard goods and services which has exposed the Consumer to series of health harzard.
In protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 represents a threshold that must be respected by all businesses. It spells out the rights of consuners and sanctions for the violation of those rights.
The FCCPA also created the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) with the mandate to, among others, protect and promote the interest of consumers as well as promote and maintain competitive markets in the Nigerian economy.
Despite the existence of these rights Nigerian Consumer remain one of the most vulnerable Consumer in the world. Reason being that, the Consumer has continued to fall prey of unhealthy business practices and business insensitivity in the market place.
This menance is not limited to product brands alone as it cut across other sectors. There have been reports of how Customers lost their lives in Nigerian hospitals due to care giver’s negligence. One of such reasons is why The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had in April, sealed (MedContour), a plastic surgery hospital over suspicions of illegal activities.
On 3rd July, 2020, FCCPC arraigned Dr. Adepoju and her plastic surgery clinic, Med Contour Services Ltd, at the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged evasion from investigation into a failed plastic surgery.
The said investigation followed complaints received by the FCCPC regarding failed elective cosmetic surgical procedures allegedly performed by Dr. Adepoju and her colleagues at Med Contour. Incidentally, the refusal of Dr. Adepoju to honour a summon to attend the Commission’s investigation and present relevant documents is the subject of her ongoing prosecution by the FCCPC.
Vivian Onwuzuligbo, a family member of Nnneka Onwuzuligbo (a deceased client of Dr. Adepoju) reportedly made allegations to the effect that her sister died as a result of a failed cosmetic surgery carried out by the medical doctor. Other accusations in that respect litter the media space in the country.
Similarly, following the dead of one Moradeun Balogun on December 2, 2019, after she was allegedly refused treatment due to lack of police report, the commission opened an investigation to determine possible violation of Consumer/patient rights bill under the FCCPA.
During the public hearing, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, held that, there could be no justification for the rejection of accident victims by hospitals.
He said, “It is inconceivable that some hospitals and health care practitioners still deny victims of accidents timely medical attention and care. The right to health is entrenched in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as in the National Health Act of 2014 and the Patients’ Bill of Rights. Section 20, subsection one of the National Health Act prohibits health care providers, workers and establishments from refusing a person medical treatment for any reason and further prescribes punishment where such a provision is violated.
In the light of the above, FCCPC issued a statement recently, stating that, “the commission must be allowed to function without any form of underlying hindrances. Thankfully, the current leadership of the Commission has been proactive and diligent in ensuring that its mandate is achieved.”
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer of the commission Babatunde Irukera is not an arm chair Chief Executive Officer, he saves cost by flying all over the country prosecuting cases for FCCPC. A recent case in mind is the one in Uyo over rice smugglers. He is knowledgeable and knows his onions, not a case of personal interest. The statement said
According to the statement; “many laws guiding the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite the country’s complex demographic composition, are unambiguous.”
FCCPC continues to insist that its investigation of Dr. Adepoju and Med Contour is about consumer protection and the services they are providing, and not an attempt to regulate the medical profession.
However, Dr. Adepoju’s cheerleaders are making frantic efforts to whip up sentiment and make Nigerians believe that she is being persecuted by an agency that allegedly has no powers to deal with issues bordering on the safety and welfare of her clients, in otherwords consumers of body enhancement services.
Now that the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, It is expected that Dr. Adepoju would harness her facts and evidence and proceed to defend herself and her clinic, instead of the futile media assault against the FCCPC. She should have no problem with going to clear her name of any wrongdoing in Court. Seeking public sympathy in a matter of grave consumer dissatisfaction with the services she renders should never be.
We have not lost hope in Nigeria to the extent that alleged infractions of extant laws and possible violation of consumer rights could just be swept under the carpet.
Good enough, the Commission does not appear distracted, and we urge its leadership to handle the Dr. Adepoju and Med Contour issue with utmost professionalism and arrive at a verifiable outcome that can satisfy public interest in a matter that has attracted high level outrage and condemnation.
