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.

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2025

OCHEFA

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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.

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Business

Naira Exchange Rates Thursday, August 27

Today, the Naira Black Market exchange rate for 1 US Dollar is 1405 Naira, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sets the official exchange rate for the Nigerian Naira against dollars at N1,343.59.

Published

5 hours ago

August 27, 2026

OCHEFA

13 Views

Today, the Naira Black Market exchange rate for 1 US Dollar is 1405 Naira, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sets the official exchange rate for the Naira against dollars at N1,343.59

BLACK MARKET RATES

US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,410

Great British Pound(GBP) Buy ₦1,895 Sell: ₦1,915

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,595 Sell ₦1,615

Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080

South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

Ghana CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110

West African CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400

CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250

CBN Exchange Rates

US Dollar (USD) ₦1,343.59

Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,827.96

EURO (EUR) ₦1,566.09

Swiss Franc (CHF) ₦1,668.44

Chinese Yuan (CNY) ₦199.87

Japanese Yen (Yen) ₦8.43

West African CFA (XOF) ₦2. 39

West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,847.86

Saudi Riyal (SAR) ₦357.84

South African Rand (ZAR) ₦84.16

Business

Meta U.S. agrees to pay $18bn lawsuits over children’s social media addiction

Meta agreed for the next decade to restrict teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram to two hours a day and block all usage from midnight to 6 a.m., absent parental consent.

Published

14 hours ago

August 26, 2026

OCHEFA

14 Views

Meta Platforms on Wednesday agreed to make major changes to Facebook and Instagram and pay up to $18 billion to resolve claims by most U.S. states that it designed those platforms to addict children and misled consumers about their safety.

Reuters reported that the settlements end a federal trial that had been one of the highest-profile tests of allegations that social media companies harm children.

It said that while Meta will not undergo a fundamental overhaul, the ‌accords represent a sweeping effort to define how it serves young users.

The focus of this case was to protect our kids,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement.

“The relief we are getting in this settlement is very meaningful and well beyond what any court has ordered or is likely to order.”

Meta agreed for the next decade to restrict teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram to two hours a day and block all usage from midnight to 6 a.m., absent parental consent.

These limits could be tightened if other social media companies adopt similar terms.

Meta will also enhance measures to prevent children from accessing age-restricted content.

The settlement does not require Meta, which denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle, to abandon personalized recommendations or targeted advertising.

The total payout represents about three to four months of profit for the Menlo ⁠Park, California-based company.