There was palpable joy and celebration across Imo State on Wednesday, 11th June, 2025, as the Imo State House of Assembly officially passed the Consumer’s Rights Protection Bill into law. The passage, which took place at exactly 1:35pm during the Assembly's plenary session in Owerri, marks a significant milestone in safeguarding the rights and interests of consumers in the state.
The new law, which now awaits executive assent by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was greeted with jubilation by stakeholders, especially those who had tirelessly championed the cause. Among those widely celebrated are the Chief Sponsor of the bill, Rt. Hon. Dominic Ezerioha, member representing Oru West State Constituency, and the Director General of the Imo State Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Hon. (Dr). Mrs Obioma Okafor.
Speaking on the development, Hon. Ezerioha, who has been at the forefront of the legislative effort, described the law as a bold step towards promoting justice and fairness for consumers in the marketplace. According to him, "The passage of this law is a commitment to the people of Imo. It will offer a clear framework for consumer redress, eliminate the exploitation of buyers, and hold manufacturers and sellers accountable."
It will be recalled that prior to this landmark passage, the bill underwent a thorough public hearing held at the Imo State House of Assembly complex, attracting inputs from stakeholders across sectors. The hearing, chaired by Hon. Johnleoba Iheoma, member representing Ikeduru State Constituency, drew participation from consumer rights advocates, business owners, legal experts, health regulators, and company representatives.
In his remarks at the hearing, Hon. Iheoma stated that the bill was not only for the benefit of consumers but also sought to protect responsible manufacturers and sellers. He reiterated the Assembly's commitment to ensuring a balanced and inclusive legislation.
During the hearing, various stakeholders voiced their concerns about the prevalence of fake and substandard products in the markets. They stressed the urgency of the bill in safeguarding public health, building trust in commercial transactions, and creating an equitable business environment.
Representing the CPC at the hearing, Chief Don Linus Onwukaike commended the proactive steps taken by the government since the emergence of the 3R administration led by Governor Uzodimma in 2020. He noted that the CPC had already introduced initiatives such as the use of indigenous standard measurement cups to combat market malpractices. “The coming of this law will further empower our efforts. It will ensure that consumers are not shortchanged, and that they get value for their money,” he said.
Also speaking, High Chief A.I.C. Nwachukwu, a member of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, called for strict enforcement mechanisms. A representative from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company echoed the sentiment, affirming that effective consumer protection builds market trust and fair competition.
With the passage of the Consumer’s Rights Protection Bill, Imo State has taken a firm stand in aligning with global best practices in consumer welfare. All eyes are now on the Governor for the final assent. Once signed into law, implementation efforts are expected to commence, with consumer awareness campaigns and regulatory enforcements planned across major markets in the state.
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