FCCPC Takes Mikano to Court for Alleged Obstruction of Investigation

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in Nigeria has filed a criminal charge against Mikano International Limited at the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly obstructing an investigation.

The charge was filed on March 8, 2024, following an earlier search warrant issued on December 16, 2022, by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The investigation was initiated due to the high prioritization of the electricity power industry and the need for transparency in both primary and alternative power sources.

During the execution of the search warrant, the FCCPC claims that Mikano’s actions were in violation of Sections 28(5), 33, 110, and 111 of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), which mandate companies to comply and be transparent during investigative procedures.

Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, stated that the Commission is strongly committed to ensuring compliance and transparency in law enforcement.

He emphasized that compliance with the law and lawful requests under the law are vital to economic and market stability and the protection of consumers.

The Commission recognizes the prevailing hardship in consumers and business operations and, as such, will continue to enforce the law fairly and humanely for both consumers and businesses.

However, it will not tolerate any action that weakens the regulatory framework or encourages others to violate the law, as this can lead to the exploitation of consumers.

The demand for generators and other power supply sources has increased in Nigeria due to a drop in electricity supply from the national grid.

With power generation barely reaching 4,000 megawatts due to gas supply challenges, the need for transparency and compliance in the electricity power industry is more important than ever.

The outcome of this case will set a precedent for future investigations and emphasize the importance of complying with the law and cooperating with regulatory authorities in Nigeria.