By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja has upheld a ₦190 million fine against the Nigerian Bottling Company for misleading packaging of its Coke products.
Delivering judgment on Monday, the Tribunal, led by Thomas Okosun, rejected a proposed settlement between NBC and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, declaring it illegal since judgment had already been reserved.
NBC had sought to overturn the fine, arguing that the mislabeling of products such as the Original Taste Less Sugar variant and Limca Lime Lemon was accidental.
However, the Tribunal dismissed the claim and criticized the Commission for attempting a last minute compromise.
It insisted that regulatory bodies must be accountable to the public and not allow private agreements to weaken enforcement actions.
NBC has been ordered to pay the ₦190 million penalty within 60 days.
