The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent public admission of obstructing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in favor of Sahad Stores, a supermarket owned by his friend Ibrahim Mijinyawa. HURIWA, a prominent human rights advocacy group, expressed grave concerns over what it describes as a blatant abuse of power and a disturbing disregard for due process, which sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Nigeria.
During the commissioning of Sahad Hospitals in Abuja on Saturday, Vice President Shettima openly admitted to having intervened in the operations of the FCCPC by ordering the immediate reopening of Sahad Stores, which had been shut down for violating pricing regulations. The Vice President’s remarks, in which he confessed to personally contacting the FCCPC’s leadership to demand the reopening of the store before being fully briefed on the situation, have sparked outrage and raised critical questions about the integrity of governance and the impartiality of regulatory bodies in the country.
In a statement released on Sunday, HURIWA expressed its unequivocal condemnation of Vice President Shettima’s actions, describing them as a gross violation of the principles of fairness, justice, and accountability. The organization emphasized that the Vice President’s interference not only undermines the authority of the FCCPC but also erodes public confidence in the government’s commitment to upholding the law, especially in matters concerning consumer protection and fair competition.
“The Vice President’s admission is deeply troubling and represents a significant breach of public trust,” HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said. “By admitting to deliberately circumventing the due process of law to favor his friend’s business, Vice President Shettima has shown a disturbing disregard for the rule of law and has set a dangerous example that could embolden others to similarly abuse their positions of power.”
HURIWA further noted that the Vice President’s actions directly contravene the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability, which are essential for the proper functioning of any democratic society. The organization warned that such conduct could lead to a culture of impunity, where powerful individuals and their associates believe they are above the law.
HURIWA also expressed concern that Vice President Shettima’s interference sends a dangerous message to regulatory bodies, suggesting that their decisions can be overturned at the whims of high-ranking officials. This, the organization argues, could have far-reaching consequences for the effectiveness and independence of regulatory agencies like the FCCPC, which are tasked with safeguarding the interests of consumers and ensuring fair market practices.
“The FCCPC’s role is to protect consumers and ensure that businesses operate within the bounds of the law,” Onwubiko continued. “When the Vice President of the country intervenes to overturn the decisions of such a body for personal reasons, it not only undermines the authority of the FCCPC but also puts the interests of ordinary Nigerians at risk.”
HURIWA pointed out that the FCCPC’s initial decision to close Sahad Stores was based on clear evidence of wrongdoing, including misleading pricing practices and a lack of transparency. The Commission’s investigation revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves while charging higher prices at checkout, in violation of Section 115 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. Additionally, the store’s failure to cooperate with the FCCPC’s investigation by refusing to appear when summoned raised further concerns about its business practices.
“By intervening to have the store reopened without allowing the FCCPC to complete its due process, the Vice President has effectively undermined the work of the Commission and sent a clear message that those with the right connections are above the law,” Onwubiko added.
In light of these revelations, HURIWA called for a full investigation into the Vice President’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the reopening of Sahad Stores. The organization also urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate steps to restore public confidence in the independence and authority of the FCCPC and other regulatory bodies by ensuring that they are free from undue political interference.
“The President must act swiftly to reassure Nigerians that the rule of law is still the bedrock of our democracy,” HURIWA’s statement read. “We cannot allow a situation where individuals in positions of power believe they can override the law to benefit their friends and associates. The integrity of our institutions and the protection of consumer rights must be upheld at all costs.”
HURIWA also called on the National Assembly to scrutinize the Vice President’s actions and ensure that such breaches of protocol do not go unaddressed. The organization emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to protect the independence of regulatory bodies and prevent future instances of political interference.
“The rule of law must be sacrosanct, and those who hold public office must be held accountable for their actions,” Onwubiko concluded. “We cannot afford to erode the foundations of our democracy by allowing such abuses of power to go unchecked.”
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
HURIWA
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
September 1, 2024
