FG orders Samsung to come clean on Galaxy Note 7 malfunction
Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited has been given a seven-day ultimatum by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to provide information on its compliance with the global directive of Samsung on the recall of its defective mobile phone, Galaxy Note 7.
The ultimatum is in reaction to Samsung Electronics’ recent global recall of the product following its defective battery.
CPC also demands that the company avails it with measures might have taken to safeguard the safety and interest of the Nigerian consumers.
Mrs. Dupe Atoki, Director General of CPC, in a letter to the company dated September 14, 2016, said “the attention of the council has been drawn to media reports indicating that the lithium-ion batteries for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are prone to catching fire”.
She further that “the said faulty batteries have reportedly caused the phone to explode in 35 separate incidents, sometimes bursting into flames, damaging property and leaking dangerous chemicals”.
You are, therefore, directed to, within seven days of the receipt of this letter, furnish the council with information on your compliance with the global directive of Samsung to recall the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 forthwith, including other measures you might have taken to safeguard the safety and interest of Nigerian consumers in this respect”, she added.
Atoki further advised Nigerian consumers who might have purchased the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to, as an interim measure, stop using the phone forthwith.
Atoki said: “while awaiting the response of Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited in order to determine the number of affected consumers in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to avert whatever dangers associated with the use of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in Nigeria.”
She added that in line with international best practices, the company should immediately issue a recall notice giving Nigerian consumers adequate information on the procedure for recall and the appropriate compensation being offered.
She urged the company to ensure that affected consumers either get a free replacement from Samsung or a refund of their money.
It would be recalled that Samsung had announced in the United States that consumers with Samsung Galaxy Note 7 can check whether or not their phones are affected and eligible for recall by entering the IMEI or serial number of their phone in a space provided on Samsung website, www.samsung.com/us/note/recall/, saying that Nigerian consumers can avail themselves of that facility.
CPC is the apex consumer protection agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria established by the CPC Act Cap 25, LFN 2004 to, among others, educate Nigerian consumers, remove hazardous products from the market, provide redress to consumer complaints and ban the sale of products which do not comply with safety or health regulations.
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