Consumer complaints trigger FCCPC enforcement action against PWAN

By Ambrose Nnaji

Lagos, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the Lekki office of PWAN Maxi Property and Business Solution Limited over allegations that the company failed to allocate 20 plots of land to a consumer despite receiving full payment.

The enforcement action, was carried out following an investigation by the commission into complaints of non-allocation of land and alleged non-compliance with regulatory directives.

Speaking during the exercise, the FCCPC South-West Zonal Coordinator, Olubunmi Otti, said the action was taken pursuant to Section 150(4)(a) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 after the company allegedly failed to comply with a compliance notice issued by the commission.

According to Otti, the FCCPC commenced investigations in February 2025 after receiving a complaint from a consumer who alleged that PWAN had failed to allocate 20 plots of land that had been fully subscribed to and paid for.

She disclosed that the company ignored two invitations issued by the commission during the investigation process.

“Following a consumer complaint against the management of PWAN Max Property and Business Solutions Ltd for non-allocation of 20 plots of land fully subscribed to and paid for by a consumer, the commission initiated an investigation and invited the company to appear before it. However, the company failed to honour the invitations,” Otti said.

She explained that after a summons was issued, PWAN appeared before the commission, provided a witness statement and undertook to allocate the 20 plots of land and provide all relevant documentation by June 30, 2025.

However, the company allegedly failed to fulfil the commitment after the deadline elapsed.

As a result, the FCCPC issued a compliance notice in line with Section 150(1) of the FCCPA, detailing the nature of the breach, remedial actions required, timelines for compliance and penalties for failure to comply.

Otti stated that despite being duly served and granted sufficient time to address the issues raised, the company failed to comply with the notice.

“Consequently, and in direct exercise of FCCPC powers under Section 150(4)(a) of the FCCPA 2018, the commission has proceeded to seal these premises until the breach is remedied,” she said.

She emphasized that the enforcement measure is intended to protect consumers and ensure compliance with regulatory obligations rather than punish businesses.

According to her, the premises will remain sealed until the commission confirms that all outstanding obligations have been met and issues a compliance certificate.

Otti urged businesses to take compliance notices seriously and advised consumers to conduct due diligence before committing funds to property transactions.

Some affected customers who spoke during the exercise accused the company of collecting payments without providing the promised land allocations.

One of the complainants, Olamide Olagunloye, alleged that he paid a total of N1 million for a plot of land but has yet to receive allocation.

He said he initially paid N700,000 before making an additional payment of N300,000 and had repeatedly visited the office over the past three months without finding company representatives available.

Another customer, Ifeanyi Okafor, said he began making instalment payments for a land purchase after being approached by company representatives in 2018.

According to him, he eventually halted payments after becoming concerned about the process, having paid about N480,000.

Okafor said his concerns deepened after hearing similar complaints from another buyer who had purchased multiple plots and was allegedly being asked to make additional payments related to allocation.