N186 million penalty: Nigerian Tribunal reserves judgment in Coca-Cola’s enchantment towards FCCPC
The Competitors and Shopper Safety Tribunal has reserved judgment on the enchantment by Coca-Cola Nigeria Restricted (CCNL) concerning the N186 million penalty imposed by the Federal Competitors and Shopper Safety Fee (FCCPC) over its labeling and advertising practices, amongst different points, in Nigeria.
The judgment was reserved by the tribunal’s three-member panel, led by Thomas Okosu, on March 18, 2025, Nairametrics gathered from sources aware of the court docket matter.
The enchantment by CCNL’s sister firm, Nigerian Bottling Firm Restricted (NBC), was additionally reserved for judgment by the tribunal.
Nairametrics beforehand reported that the FCCPC had formally accused Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd and its sister firm of deceptive commerce descriptions and unfair advertising ways of their merchandise, Unique Style and Much less Sugar.
The Fee said that it discovered NBC making use of allegedly misleading commerce descriptions to the 2 variants and supplying these merchandise to customers, violating Part 116(3) of the FCCPA.
In its supplementary order, the FCCPC later said that CCNL should pay a penalty of N186,666,666.67 on or earlier than September 6, 2024, for the alleged contravention of related legal guidelines.
Authorized Dispute
In its enchantment, CCNL’s authorized group, led by Professor Gbolahan Elias SAN, requested the tribunal to put aside the orders of the FCCPC and problem an order restraining the Fee from implementing any provisions of its Remaining Order and Supplementary Order towards the appellant.
He cited the difficulty of honest listening to, lack of jurisdiction, and his shopper’s approval by the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC).
However FCCPC lawyer Abimbola Ojenike raised 13 opposing grounds towards the model’s request to quash the penalty and accusations.
He argued that Coca-Cola’s claims of procedural unfairness and bias have been baseless, emphasizing that the corporate had been supplied with in depth alternatives for a good listening to, together with participation in investigations, written submissions, and a number of consultative conferences.
What Transpired on the Tribunal
On the sitting on March 18, 2025, the CCNL authorized group adopted all of its court docket paperwork within the case and urged the Tribunal to overturn FCCPC’s penalties and orders within the curiosity of justice.
The FCCPC authorized group equally adopted its processes and requested the tribunal to dismiss the enchantment and uphold its findings towards CCNL and NBC.
After listening to from the events, the Tribunal reserved judgment to a later date, which will likely be communicated to the events.
What You Ought to Know
Nairametrics earlier reported that the FCCPC made an endeavor earlier than the Competitors and Shopper Safety Tribunal that it’ll not take any “regulatory or enforcement motion” towards Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd pending the willpower of its enchantment towards the Fee’s allegations towards the corporate.
