Firm to sue CPC over seizure of 1,500 bags of rice

Rice City, a rice retail outlet in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, has threatened to sue the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) for seizing 1,500 bags of rice from its warehouse valued at over N24million. This is sequel to a raid carried out a week ago on rice retail outlets in Uyo by CPC officials from Abuja led by the council’s Director-General, Mr. Babatunde Irukera. The counsel to Rice City, Mr. Victor Iyanam, while speaking to reporters yesterday on the incident, demanded an unreserved apology from CPC and a return of the seized bags of rice. Iyanam threatened to sue CPC if it fails to return the bags of rice and tender an apology to the rice firm, adding that the image of his client has been tarnished. He argued that the action of the CPC was at variance with fair trade, adding that their action had caused the organisation untold harms in its business dealing. Iyanam maintained that the organisation was instituting a legal proceeding against the council for damages over the seizure of the good worth N24,750,000. “At the end of the rampage, the men claiming to be from the CPC carted away 1500 bags of rice, mainly of the local variants. They came in three trucks, none was registered and can therefore not be identified. “The place to which the bags of rice were carted remains unknown. “We are dismayed that the conduct of the men of the CPC negates the courteous and humane manner the CPC was always expected to act. By the provision of Rules 10 and 11 of the Consumer Protection (Products and Services Monitoring and Registration) Regulations 2005, the CPC would be expected to issue some notice before moving against any marketer. “Besides carting away 1500 bags of rice with a market value of N24, 750,000 is excessive and unreasonable in the circumstance. “This is, therefore, to call on the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State Command to come to the aid of Rice City and to ensure the return of her products,” he said.]]>