FG Vs Coca Cola, NBC: Court Fixes NOV 4 For Hearing

BY NSE ANTHONY-UKO

The Federal High Court 8, Abuja, under Justice E.S. Chukwu, has fixed Tuesday, November 4 for the hearing of the suit filed by the federal government against Coca Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigeria Bottling Company Limited for alleged violation of the Consumer Protection Council Act.

The global soft drink giant, Coca Cola Nigeria Limited, and its Nigeria’s franchise bottler, Nigeria Bottling Company Limited, are currently facing prosecution for allegedly violating the Orders of the Council, which were given to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations and enhanced consumers’ welfare.

This was after an administrative panel set up to investigate a consumer complaint regarding two half-empty cans of Sprite manufactured by Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited under the licence and authority of Coca Cola Nigeria Limited found them culpable.

If found guilty, the chief executive officers of both companies risk a jail sentence ranging from three to five years, according to the Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Council Act.

As part of the administrative panel’s recommendations, CPC, a parastatal under the supervision of the ministry of industry, trade and investment, had ordered Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Bottling Company to subject their manufacturing processes to its inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations, while demanding necessary compensation for the consumer/complainant.

Also, Coca-Cola and NBC were also directed to formulate a shelf-life policy for their products; to review their consumer grievance resolution policy; supply chain management policy, product traceability policy, and to present written assurances that they will refrain from a continuation of any conduct, which is detrimental to the interest of consumers.

In a bold move aimed at ensuring the protection of Nigerian consumers, the federal government last week, dragged the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and their Chief Executives before a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged criminal breach of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act.

Culled from: http://leadership.ng