The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the Lagos office of PWAN MAX Property and Business Solutions Ltd. over alleged non-compliance with a regulatory directive linked to consumer complaints concerning unallocated plots of land.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise on Monday, the FCCPC South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Olubunmi Otti, said the action followed the company’s alleged failure to comply with a Compliance Notice issued under Section 150 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018.
According to Otti, the commission commenced an investigation in February 2025 following a complaint from a consumer who alleged that 20 plots of land, fully paid for and subscribed to, had not been allocated.
She said the company failed to honour two invitations issued by the commission and was later summoned to appear before it.
Otti explained that PWAN MAX subsequently undertook to allocate the 20 plots and provide all relevant documentation on or before June 30, 2025.
“However, at the expiration of the agreed timeline, the company failed to fulfil the undertaking and the commission issued a Compliance Notice in line with Section 150 of the FCCPA.
“The notice clearly stated the nature of the breach, the steps required to remedy it, the timeline for compliance and the penalties for failure to comply,” she said.
She noted that the company failed to take the required remedial actions after being served the notice.
“Consequently, in exercise of the commission’s powers under Section 150(4)(a) of the FCCPA, which requires the closure of premises where a breach continues after a compliance notice has been ignored, the commission has proceeded to seal these premises,” Otti said.
She added that the enforcement action was aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring compliance with the law.
According to her, the premises will remain sealed until the commission is satisfied that the breach has been fully remedied, after which a compliance certificate may be issued.
Otti disclosed that the commission was also handling other complaints against the company involving investments and the alleged non-allocation of lands and buildings paid for by consumers.
Officials of the commission reportedly met no staff members at the premises during the exercise.
A notice displayed at the entrance and signed by the management of PWAN MAX informed clients and Property Business Owners (PBOs) that the company was observing a five-day fasting and prayer programme from June 8 to June 12, with normal operations expected to resume on June 15.
The FCCPC official urged businesses to take compliance notices seriously, stressing that the law leaves the commission with no discretion once a violation persists after a notice has been ignored.
She also advised consumers to conduct due diligence and verify businesses before committing funds to transactions.
Responding to questions on possible refunds to affected subscribers, Otti said the company would be required to refund consumers where necessary.
Mr Olamide Olagundoye said he subscribed to one of the company’s land schemes after being introduced by a former employee.
According to him, despite completing payment, he was not issued a contract of sale and has been unable to obtain satisfactory responses regarding allocation or refund.
Another subscriber, Mr Ifeanyi Okafor, said he began making payments for a land purchase in 2018 but later requested a refund due to concerns about the process.
He alleged that despite repeated follow-ups and correspondence, his request remained unresolved, adding that he paid about N480,000.
Okafor expressed hope that the FCCPC’s intervention would help affected subscribers recover their funds and resolve outstanding complaints.
Source: NAN
Edited by Deborah Yakub
