The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the visa centres for France, Belgium and Italy located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The visa centre, which is managed by TLS Contact, a teleperformance company, was shut down on Thursday following a series of confrontations between the company’s staff and government officials. The FCCPC said it worked alongside the Nigerian police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to carry out the enforcement action, as staff at the centre actively resisted the sealing.
Boladale Adeyinka, director of surveillance and investigations at the FCCPC, explained that the action was taken because the centre had failed to receive an official letter from the commission regarding a consumer complaint investigation. The centre was also sealed due to obstruction of investigation or inquiry, and for conducting services that were “upon reasonable suspicion, to be inimical to consumers’ welfare.”
The troubles began back in March when the FCCPC attempted to serve the company with a complaint. “On the 25th of March 2025, based on a consumer complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint, as is the process of amicable resolution of consumer complaints at the commission,” Adeyinka said. “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 (FCCPA).”
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Following this incident, the commission directed that TLS staff should be summoned to appear before them under Section 33 of the FCCPA. However, the situation escalated further when officials attempted to serve the summons. “Rather than receive the summons of the commission, officers of TLS again on June 17, proceeded not only to assault our officers but also assaulted uniformed officers of the police force who were providing lawful security for the operations of the commission,” Adeyinka explained.
She warned that such behaviour carries serious legal consequences under Nigerian law. “Section 33 stipulates that any person who, without sufficient cause, fails or refuses to appear before the commission in compliance with a summons commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding N20 million or both fine and imprisonment.”
The company has now been mandated to appear before the commission on 20 June to testify, take depositions, and provide evidence regarding their failure to receive the FCCPC’s letter investigating the original complaint. “This is an enforcement operation against TLS,” Adeyinka said. “As you are aware, they provide visa support services to Nigerian consumers.”
The closure will likely affect hundreds of visa applicants who use the centre to process applications for travel to France, Belgium and Italy. Adeyinka made it clear that TLS would be held responsible for any inconvenience caused, stating that the company would be liable for all losses and expenses encountered by visa applicants due to the enforcement action.
