The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the Abuja office of Contact Tele-performance Company (TLC), a visa support agency, following serious allegations of consumer rights violations and assaults on security personnel by the company’s agents.
The Commission’s Director of Surveillance and Investigations, Boladale Adeyinka, who led the enforcement operation, revealed that the closure became necessary due to the gravity of the infractions uncovered.
“Our enforcement team was met with resistance and was physically assaulted by individuals acting on behalf of TLC. This forced us to take decisive action,” Adeyinka stated.
The probe into TLS, a private outfit offering visa processing services to Nigerians, commenced in March 2025 after numerous complaints surfaced accusing the company of failing to deliver services customers had already paid for.
On March 25, the FCCPC formally issued a letter to TLS as part of its complaint resolution process. However, instead of cooperating, representatives of the company allegedly assaulted FCCPC operatives while they were executing their lawful duties.
The situation escalated when TLC officials also refused to accept a summons to appear before the Commission and went further to assault police officers assigned to protect FCCPC personnel during the enforcement operation.
“Under Section 18(1)(f) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Tunji Bello, directed the sealing of TLS’s premises,” Adeyinka confirmed.
She explained that the Commission found sufficient cause to believe the company’s services were detrimental to consumer welfare, warranting an immediate suspension of their operations pending further inquiry.
Senior TLS officials, including the country manager and centre manager, have been summoned to appear before the Commission by 2:00 pm on Friday, June 20, 2025, to explain their conduct and justify the company’s actions.
Adeyinka warned:
“Failure to honour this summons will attract serious consequences. According to Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act, non-compliance with a summons can lead to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine up to ₦20 million, or both. Additionally, Section 33(4) penalizes any willful obstruction of Commission proceedings with similar sanctions. The conduct of TLS clearly falls under these violations.”
Addressing the nature of the original complaints, Adeyinka said:
“The core issue involves the non-provision of paid-for visa processing services a critical concern for many Nigerians relying on these centres for travel documentation.”
The FCCPC called on affected consumers to come forward with any evidence of service failure as the investigation continues.
“The sealing of TLS’s office sends a strong message to all service providers nationwide: the Commission will act decisively to defend consumer rights,” she concluded.
