Business
Competition Tribunal Orders Coca – Cola to pay N190 million misleading Fines Within 60 Days
Upholding the FCCPC’s five-year investigation, findings, and imposed penalties, the tribunal ruled that NBC’s conduct constituted misleading practices in violation of Nigerian law.
The tribunal criticised the FCCPC’s acceptance of the post-judgment settlement, saying it conflicted with the commission’s regulatory obligations.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal ( CCPT) has ordered the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), also known as Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited to pay the N190 million administrative penalty imposed on the company for misleading packaging, within 60 days .
This was contrary to the settlement reached between the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the NBC in the case that stemmed from an August 2024 announcement by the FCCPC in which it accused Coca-Cola and NBC of engaging in unfair marketing tactics and misleading consumers.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, April 28, a three-member panel led by presiding judge Thomas Okosun dismissed NBC’s application to adopt the settlement terms as judgment, describing it as an “attempt to arrest judgment.”
NBC’s counsel, O. Ogunride, had informed the tribunal of a settlement agreement reached with the FCCPC, requesting its adoption as a consent judgment.
The FCCPC’s representative, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed the existence of the settlement, stating that discussions had been finalised with Akoji Achimugu, the commission’s legal director.
However, the tribunal pointed out that the terms of settlement were filed after judgment had been reserved and both parties had submitted their final written arguments.
Okosun ruled that “the notion of arrest of judgment is unknown to Nigerian law,” stressing that entering a settlement at this stage exceeded the FCCPC’s statutory authority and undermined its role as a regulator.
The tribunal criticised the FCCPC’s acceptance of the post-judgment settlement, saying it conflicted with the commission’s regulatory obligations.
The tribunal emphasized its constitutional duty to the public, asserting that it could not engage in private compromises between parties.
The panel also criticized the FCCPC’s sudden shift from its earlier position, noting that the proposed settlement declared “there is no penalty,” directly contradicting the commission’s findings from its investigation.
Consequently, the tribunal rejected the settlement and proceeded to deliver its final judgment.
Upholding the FCCPC’s five-year investigation, findings, and imposed penalties, the tribunal ruled that NBC’s conduct constituted misleading practices in violation of Nigerian law.
It affirmed that the ₦190 million administrative penalty was consistent with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
NBC’s appeal was dismissed for lack of merit, and the company was ordered to pay the fine within 60 days.
Business
President Tinubu Leaves for Kenya, Rwanda and France to Strengthen Strategic Partnerships
At the two summits, President Tinubu will deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a prime destination for investment and growth. He will also hold high-level meetings with top-tier global and African business leaders.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 2nd, on a visit to Kenya, Rwanda and France.
The itinerary details are provided by Bayo Onanuga,Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy), as follows:
” President Tinubu’s first stop will be in France, after which he will depart for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to begin next week.
Co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto, the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action.
President Tinubu’s participation at the summit from May 11- 12 will underscore Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic.
The summit, with the theme – “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” – will provide a high-level platform for African leaders and their French counterparts to deliberate on critical issues affecting the continent, including economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building initiatives.
At the end of the Kenyan summit, President Tinubu will depart for Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the annual Africa CEO Forum, taking place between May 14th and 15th.
With the theme “Scale or Fail”, this year’s Africa CEO Forum will be the largest gathering of African private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers, focusing on accelerating economic transformation through shared scale, regional integration, and increased cross-border investment.
Held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the summit brings together over 2,000 top executives and national leaders to debate strategies for building resilient, competitive industries.
At the two summits, President Tinubu will deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a prime destination for investment and growth. He will also hold high-level meetings with top-tier global and African business leaders.
President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by some of his ministers and senior aides.
He will return to Nigeria at the end of the Rwanda summit. “
Business
Nigerian Lawmakers Demand Arrest of World Bank Official Calling for Reinstatement of Petroleum Import Licences
Declaring the unnamed World Bank official persona non grata, the Committee gave the Bank 30 days to issue a public retraction and written apology.
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has call for the dismissal and arrest of the World Bank official responsible for the April 7, 2026 Nigeria Development Update, which recommended the reinstatement of petroleum import licences.
The Committee described the recommendation as a reckless move capable of undermining Nigeria’s indigenous refining capacity.
In a formal resolution, the Committee condemned the World Bank report, which claimed that imported petroleum products are 12 percent cheaper than those from the Dangote Refinery.
It rejected the position as contrary to Nigeria’s national economic interest and an unacceptable interference in the country’s sovereign petroleum policy.
Declaring the unnamed World Bank official persona non grata, the Committee gave the Bank 30 days to issue a public retraction and written apology.
It further demanded that the staff member responsible for the report be relieved of their duties and subjected to investigation.
Business
Senate approves Tinubu’s $516.3m loan
The syndicated financing facility is being sought from Deutsche Bank, according to a letter of request Tinubu sent to the Senate last Thursday.
The Senate has approved the $516.3 million loan requested by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The money will be used for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway (Section One, Phase 1A and B).
The approval was given on Wednesday after the Senate considered the report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
The committee, chaired by Senator Magatagarda Wamakko, recommended the approval of the loan.
The syndicated financing facility is being sought from Deutsche Bank, according to a letter of request Tinubu sent to the Senate last Thursday.
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