LASCOPA INTENSIFIES ROUTINE INSPECTIONS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM FAKE, EXPIRED, HAZARDOUS, SUBSTANDARD GOODS
... Inspects Over 600 Stores, Supermarkets in the First Half of 2026
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has intensified its routine inspection operations across supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, markets, shopping malls, and other retail outlets in Lagos State as part of a renewed campaign to eliminate counterfeit, expired, hazardous, and substandard products from the marketplace.
The intensified enforcement exercise, led by the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, Esq., is aimed at protecting consumers by identifying retailers and distributors stocking products that pose serious health and safety risks to the public.
As part of the exercise, LASCOPA officials conduct unannounced inspections, verify product certifications, examine production and expiry dates, assess storage conditions, and confiscate products that fail to meet the required safety and quality standards.
Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager/CEO, Afolabi Solebo, Esq., reaffirmed the Agency's unwavering commitment to consumer protection.
"Consumer safety is non-negotiable. We are sending a clear message to every operator in the retail value chain: if you trade in fake, expired, hazardous, or substandard products and you're caught, you will face the full wrath of the law. This is a battle we are determined to win for every Lagosian", he said.
Solebo noted that the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency was established under the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, 2025 (as amended) to protect consumers' rights and promote fair trade practices. He explained that the Law provides consumers with the right to return defective goods and urged store owners and operators of supermarkets, grocery stores, markets, shopping malls, and other retail outlets to return expired, unsafe, defective, or substandard products to their suppliers or distributors instead of displaying or selling them to unsuspecting consumers.
According to him, LASCOPA's Monitoring and Enforcement Department inspected 663 stores and supermarkets between January and June 2026 while 238 grocery stores, supermarkets, markets, shopping malls, and other retail outlets were found to violate the Consumer Protection Law.
He added that the inspection exercise covered supermarkets, grocery stores, markets, and other retail outlets across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.
The General Manager warned that businesses found selling counterfeit, expired, hazardous, or substandard products risk immediate closure, seizure and prosecution and other sanctions as provided under the relevant consumer protection laws.
He also urged consumers to remain vigilant by carefully checking product information before making purchases. He encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious, counterfeit, expired, hazardous, or unsafe products through LASCOPA's official complaint channels.
Solebo reiterated that LASCOPA remains the statutory agency responsible for protecting the rights and interests of consumers in Lagos State, promoting fair trade practices, and ensuring that only safe, genuine, and quality products are available in the marketplace.
More photos below.
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