By Favour Nnabugwu

ABUJA—Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited to recall its Galaxy Note 7, following its explosion during charging.

The agency also warned Nigerians to stop using the phone until issues around it were resolved.

CPC Director-General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, who issued the ultimatum in a letter to the company in Abuja, asked Samsung to provide it with information on the full status of its compliance with the global directive on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 within the next one week.

Atoki in the letter 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.

“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.

“Some Nigerian consumers may already have purchased the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 for personal or other uses.

“You are, therefore, directed to, within seven days of the receipt of this letter, furnish the Council with information on the full status of your compliance with the global directive of Samsung to recall the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 forthwith, including other measures you may have taken to safeguard the safety and interest of Nigerian consumers in this respect.”

She also directed that Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited furnished the CPC with other measures it had taken to safeguard the safety and interest of Nigerian consumers.

Atoki said, 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 pay appropriate compensation.

“While awaiting the response of Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited, in order to determine the number of affected consumers in Nigeria.”