FCCPC seals two property developers in Abuja over alleged fraudulent practices

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed two Abuja-based real estate firms, Ochacho Group and TI’BLON Construction/Real Estate/Facility Management, over alleged failure to deliver properties to subscribers despite full payment, in what the Commission described as part of its ongoing crackdown on fraudulent practices in the sector.

The enforcement exercise, carried out on Thursday at different locations in the Federal Capital Territory, affected the premises of Ochacho Group in Lifecamp extension and of TI’BLON Construction in Wuse II.

The action, according to the Commission, followed repeated non-compliance with regulatory directives issued to the developers after the Commission received verified complaints from aggrieved property subscribers.

Leading the enforcement team, Marvin Nadah, Deputy Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, said the decision to seal the properties was taken in line with provisions of the FCCPC Act, 2018.

He explained that affected developers had failed to comply with formal notices issued by the Commission, despite being given adequate opportunity to resolve complaints involving subscribers who had fully paid for properties, some of which had remained undelivered for over three years.

According to him, the Commission had earlier issued compliance directives following its redress process, ordering the developers to hand over the properties, but the orders were ignored.

“This is a continuation of the Commission’s efforts at stopping obnoxious and exploitative practices in this sector of the economy against consumers.

“Both entities are real estate companies. They sell land, they build, and they also manage these properties.

“The complaints received went through our redress mechanism, after which formal notices were issued directing the estate developers to deliver properties that had been fully paid for. These directives were not complied with,” Nadah stated.

He further disclosed that the developers were served notice as far back as June 2025 and were given seven days to comply, but failed to do so, necessitating enforcement action.

“Having failed to comply with the notice issued under Section 150 of the FCCPC Act 2018, the Commission proceeded with enforcement by sealing the affected premises,” he added.

Nadah stressed that the action was based on verified complaints and documentary evidence confirming full payment by affected consumers, warning that the Commission would not hesitate to sanction any operator found engaging in deceptive or exploitative practices.

He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s commitment to intensifying surveillance in the real estate sector to protect consumers and restore confidence in property transactions across the country.

“We will continue to monitor estate developers nationwide to ensure Nigerians are not exploited or misled. The Commission remains committed to enforcing fair business standards,” he said.

He also urged consumers to report cases of non-delivery or exploitation in the property market, advising prospective buyers to always verify developers’ claims before making financial commitments.

“The Commission is here to receive complaints on unfair or illegal business practices. The government cannot stand by while consumers are exploited. Nigerians must also remain vigilant,” he said.

The FCCPC reiterated that the enforcement action is part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s real estate sector and ensure compliance with consumer protection regulations.