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Liu Bei, the owner of the Chinese supermarket located in Abuja, faced a tribunal at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
This followed a summons and the threat of penalties from the FCCPC, which had previously sealed the store for refusing Nigerians entry.
In an update released on Wednesday, April 24, FCCPC wrote: “Update: Owners of the Abuja Chinese Supermarket facing allegations of discriminatory practices responded to our summons today to answer questions regarding the allegations. FCCPC operatives have conducted an inspection of the facility.”
“We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.”
Background
On Sunday, April 21, the Chinese store enforced a rule allowing only Chinese citizens to enter while preventing Nigerians from accessing the premises.
Pulse reported that the FCCPC officials stormed the supermarket on Monday, April 22, 2024, barely 24 hours after Nigerians reported the outlet’s discriminatory practices on social media.
As confirmed on the Closed-Circuit Television camera, Liu Bei was said to have fled with her family at 8:26 a.m.
Meanwhile, the China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) in Nigeria says no Nigerian has been subjected to discrimination or denied access to the Chinese supermarket.
In a statement released in Abuja, Cui Guangzheng, Secretary of the China Chamber of Commerce, said, “The China Chamber of Commerce is one of several enterprises using the facility, and the supermarket in question is located in the residential area of the estate.
“No individual was subjected to discrimination or denied access to the estate or supermarket to purchase groceries as widely believed.
“We regret any altercation at the estate’s entrance gate between the security personnel and a customer, it does not reflect the official position of the estate management or the chamber of commerce
“Our principles are to enhance friendship between the people of both countries and promote economic development.”