The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned manufacturers, retailers and service providers against violating consumer protection laws, threatening sanctions, prosecution and the sealing of premises where necessary.
The agency’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Afolabi Solebo, gave the warning while speaking with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport upon his return from the 2026 International Bar Association Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Solebo said the agency would sanction businesses that deliberately fail to honour scheduled mediation sessions over legitimate consumer complaints, adding that affected premises could be sealed where authorised by law.
He identified unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, deceptive pricing, hidden charges, poor service delivery, and the production or sale of substandard, counterfeit or unsafe products as offences that could attract regulatory action.
According to him, offenders risk applicable penalties, including fines, enforcement orders, suspension of operations, prosecution and the sealing of business premises under the relevant laws.
The LASCOPA chief urged businesses to take consumer complaints and dispute-resolution processes seriously, stressing that compliance with the Lagos State Consumer Protection Law 2025, as amended, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 was mandatory.
He also appealed to consumers with unresolved complaints to remain patient, explaining that delays in resolving disputes often arise when businesses ignore invitations to mediation sessions.
Solebo advised consumers to retain receipts, invoices, warranties and other relevant documents to support their complaints and facilitate the resolution process.
He reaffirmed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to protecting consumers and promoting a fair business environment in Lagos State.
Solebo added that consumer protection was a shared responsibility, urging businesses and consumers to work towards building a transparent, accountable and consumer-friendly marketplace.
