Many laws guiding the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite the country’s complex demographic composition, are unambiguous.
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.
In the light of the above, the FCCPC 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. Unfortunately, that has earned the FCCPC the latest media attacks, seemingly by acolytes of Dr. Anu Adepoju of Med Contour Services Ltd.
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.
READ ALSO: Prosecution of Anuoluwapo, MedContour not vendetta ― FCCPC Explains
One wonders why such an important matter, bordering on the safety and well being of citizens can be considered as a coordinated attack on Dr. Anu Adepoju, who allegedly conducted surgeries on her clients leading to all sorts, including death.
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.
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.
READ ALSO: 14 soldiers killed by Boko Haram in IED attack [photos]
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.
Nigerians 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.
This note from the Editor is a review of the situation by the editorial team of the Observers Times.