Vice President Kashim Shettima has publicly acknowledged that he intervened to reverse the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) decision to close Sahad Stores, a supermarket owned by his friend, Ibrahim Mijinyawa.
Speaking at the opening of Sahad Hospitals in Abuja on Saturday, Shettima revealed that he contacted the head of the FCCPC to have the supermarket reopened after it was shut down for breaching pricing regulations.
“When the FCCPC closed his store, I called the agency’s head and said, ‘Please, reopen the store before you explain what happened to me,’” Shettima admitted. “I took this step because I know the significant role Sahad Stores plays in helping many Nigerians.”
Shettima praised Mijinyawa, describing him as a benevolent individual who has used his business to positively impact many lives. “He could have kept his wealth to himself and his family, but he chose to give back to the community,” Shettima said.
In February, Sahad Stores was temporarily closed by the FCCPC following investigations that uncovered violations related to misleading pricing and a lack of transparency. The commission had reported that the supermarket was displaying lower prices on shelves than what was charged at checkout, contravening pricing laws.
The FCCPC’s press release noted that a summons was issued to the store’s staff to discuss corrective actions. However, their failure to appear raised further concerns.
On February 17, acting FCCPC chairman Adamu Abdullahi stated that the supermarket’s reopening was contingent on its commitment to transparent pricing practices.
Shettima’s admission highlights the influence of political connections in Nigeria, where such relationships can sometimes result in legal leniency and reduced accountability.
