The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has shut down visa application centres representing France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja over alleged obstruction of investigation and failure to comply with consumer protection procedures.
The centres, operated by TLS Contact — a subsidiary of Teleperformance — were sealed on Thursday at Mukhtar El-Yakub House, Central Business District, following an enforcement operation involving FCCPC officials and operatives from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the Director of Surveillance and Investigations at FCCPC, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, the enforcement was prompted by the centre’s refusal to accept an official letter from the Commission relating to a consumer complaint, as well as the reported assault of officers attempting to deliver it.
“In March 2025, a letter was served to the centre based on a consumer complaint, in line with our standard procedure. Rather than acknowledge the complaint, TLS staff assaulted FCCPC officials. A subsequent attempt to serve a summons on June 17 also resulted in physical resistance and an assault on both our officers and uniformed police personnel,” Adeyinka said.
She cited Section 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, which empowers the Commission to summon individuals and entities for investigation. Noncompliance with such summonses may result in fines up to ₦20 million or imprisonment of up to three years.
The Commission has summoned the company to appear before it on June 20 to provide testimony and documentation in relation to the alleged misconduct.
Adeyinka added that the centre may be held responsible for any inconvenience or financial loss suffered by visa applicants during the closure period.
While the FCCPC maintained its position on regulatory compliance and consumer rights, the management of TLS Contact declined to issue a public response at the time of reporting.
The visa centres provide support services for individuals applying for visas to France, Belgium, and Italy, and are often the first point of contact for applicants before embassy appointments. The FCCPC has not disclosed when operations might resume.
