By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The warehouse of a company based in Ogba, Lagos State, Canvest Nigeria Limited, has been sealed by officials of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA).
A statement issued by the Lagos State government said the firm was closed down because it was allegedly repackaging expired curry powder for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
Business Post gathered that the warehouse operated by Canvest Nigeria located at Plot 4, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba, Ikeja, was used to repackage unwholesome and expired curry powder with the name Chinchilli and Ducros for sale.
Ducros curry power is produced by Canvest Nigeria, which has its head office on No. 3B, Eko-Akete Street, off St Gregory’s Road S.W Ikoyi, Lagos.
The General Manager of LASCOPA, Mrs Kemi Olugbode, who led her team to pay an unscheduled assessment visit to the warehouse, said the action was taken after an anonymous member of the public informed the agency of the act.
According to Mrs Olugbode, her agency had to make the unscheduled visit to the company’s warehouse to verify the claim by the whistleblower and ensure the protection of consumers from unwholesome products.
She said members of staff of the company involved in the fraudulent operation have been arrested and that the property will remain sealed until the government commences prosecution of the owners of the warehouse and all those arrested.
According to her, during the raid, the enforcement team discovered thousands of expired products stored in cartons, while some were found in sacks that were ready to be repackaged for sale in the market.
“It is unfortunate that some business owners are endangering the lives of residents in the state for pecuniary gains by selling unwholesome products to unsuspecting consumers.
“This is unacceptable to the government and the agency is totally committed to protecting and promoting the rights of all consumers from products that are unsafe for human consumption,” she said.
Mrs Olugbode, therefore, encouraged members of the public to continue to support the present administration’s determination to rid Lagos of all illegal activities by reporting those who are engaged in unwholesome activities that are detrimental to the health of residents.
