Cover picture: The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki
The Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has ordered VIP Express Tourism limited to refund over N25 million to 63 aggrieved subscribers.
CPC decision followed complaints over gross violation of the customers’ rights by Brekete Family, a human rights organisation, on behalf of the complainants.
The decision was contained in a statement by CPC Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki.
Mrs. Atoki alleged that the company’s operational method was callous, obnoxious, and predatory.
She said that its business practice in which consumers were pressurized to unwittingly sign off their legal rights to get a refund of monies paid was unethical and exploitative.
She lamented the company’s business practice, which is designed in such a manner that after a 90 minutes presentation, prospective clients must immediately execute a 10 page contract.
They must also endorse 17 clauses containing a non-rescission clause and a non-refund clause.
All the said endorsements are executed without benefit of legal counsel, financial or other advise to afford the client time to consider the offer.
The CPC directed the company to present written assurances in line with section 10 of the Consumer Protection Council’s Act that it would refrain from a continuation of any conduct which is detrimental to the interest of consumers of their services.
Consumer Protection Council was established by Act No. 66 of1992, as a Parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.
It, however, commenced operations only in 1999, when its institutional framework was put in place.
The CPC mandate requires to, among others;
– eliminate hazardous products from the market,
– provide speedy redress to consumers complaints,
– undertake campaigns as will lead to increased consumer awareness,
– ensure that consumers interest receive due consideration at the appropriate forum,
– encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and,
– enforce in their various fields quality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers.
Its mission is committed to protecting and enhancing consumers’ interest through information, education and enforcement of appropriate standards for goods and services and to promote an environment of fair and ethical trade practices.
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