FG Raises Joint Committee to Probe Rights Abuse in Money Lending

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have commenced rights violation investigation in the money lending industry.

This was revealed by Babatunde Irukera, chief executive officer, FCCPC, in a document released in Abuja on Monday.

According to Irukera in the document he signed, the Joint Regulatory and Enforcement Committee will also have as members the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

He disclosed that the committee would lead efforts to address multiple potentially dubious conducts of certain money lenders, otherwise known as loan sharks.

According to him, the meeting resolved to collaborate, pursue urgent enforcement action against already known violators while investigating others, as well as criminal prosecutions where applicable.

He regretted that the act was fast becoming a dominant and abusive practice targeting some of the most vulnerable in society.

He said: “Continuing complaints about questionable repayment enforcement practices including public shaming and violations of privacy have led to significant and understandable consumer aggravation and dissatisfaction.

“Others are arbitrary, unjust, unreasonable, or exploitative interest rates and or loan balances calculations, harassment and failure of consumer feedback mechanisms, among others have caused consumer aggravation.

“Initial inquiries demonstrate that many of the purported lenders are not legally acceptably established or otherwise licensed by the appropriate authorities to engage in the services they ostensibly provide.

“A joint taskforce of analysts and enforcers was also created and immediately activated.

“The agencies recognised and welcome products and providers that bridge the lending gap for consumers who would otherwise be ineligible for conventional loans from traditional financial institutions.

“However, this must occur within legally acceptable parameters of transparency and fairness.”

Irukera said that in furtherance of resolutions from the meeting, the commission had created a dedicated email address to receive complaints and identity of businesses or individuals involved in these practices.

He said the e-mail address is: lenderstaskforce@fccpc.gov.ng.