Chinese Restaurant, Hua Fei Shut Down Following Discrimination Allegations
Last Friday, restaurant guests, Folabomi Animashaun and two other friends, at Hua Fei were reportedly denied service after the waitress told them the restaurant’s new policy prevented them her from serving Nigerians. After settling into their requested table for five, the attending waitress reportedly told them, “We do not serve Yorubas, Igbos or anyone that is not Chinese”.
A correspondent for Eat.Drink.Lagos spoke to Folabomi, who narrated how one of her companions spoke to the chef in Mandarin, who reportedly did not provide a valid reason for their eviction from the restaurant. Rather, the chef suggested that they ordered takeout or leave the restaurant premises.
Following this experience, she and her friend, Itunu, shared their experience on Instagram and social media. “We were appalled at how we were treated and so we left”, she said.
Expectedly, Folabomi’s post gained traction and was shared several times across social media platforms. In response to this occurrence, The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) sealed off the establishment for declining service to Nigerians for further regulatory action. The commission announced the news in a tweet stating that the staff of Hua Fei admitted to this policy after three FCCPC officers also experienced the same service.
Speaking about this development, Folabomi added, “I’m happy that no one else has to experience what we did on Friday. I’m also happy that people reposted and used their platforms to spread [SIC] to the appropriate authorities.
In response to the closure, the management at Hua Fei has denied the discrimination allegations, condemning the FCCPC for not following necessary procedures for a fair hearing.
In a statement to the FCCPC, the restaurant’s Media Consultant, Mr Ikenna Emewu, said:
“ To start with, the name of the business place or restaurant is HUA FEI and the words mean CHINA-AFRICA. The claim by the FCCPC is unfounded and malicious to destroy our business interest in Nigeria. The owner of the business, Mr Liu Changan is one that has respect for Africans. Liu in his business chain has tens of Nigerians in his employment.”