By Amadou Manjang
Consumer Protection Tribunal Tuesday struck out the cases of Consumer Protection Consortium (CPC) against six companies.
According to the panel of three magistrates led by Magistrate Dawda Phatey, the Consumer Protection Consortium has no legal ground to bring the case before the Tribunal.
The Consumer Protection Act of the Gambia states that a consumer or group of consumers who are affected by a business can bring a case before the Tribunal.
The court held that the cases filed by CPC against the six other companies, lack legal ground because CPC was not affected nor was any of their members affected.
The Consortium accused Alvihag Supermarket, Heewal Supermarket, Al Baraka mini-market, Talya mini-market, and Quality and Affordable American Goods shop of selling expired products.
It also accused Gacem Company of selling a bag of cement that weigh less than 49kg, when the label on the product said it weighs 49kg.
Speaking to the press after the ruling, the Director of Legal and Enforcement at the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission( GCCPC), Alhagie Sambou said the commission will look into the case and find the best way to bring it back to the Tribunal.
Sambou further said that they have all the evidence they need against the business entities in the case.
He added that they would not relent in protecting consumers in the country as well as ensuring fair business practice.
