FCCPC urges tribunal to dismiss Coca-Cola’s appeal against N186m fine [Video]

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal to dismiss Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited’s (CCNL) amended appeal challenging the N186.6 million penalty imposed for its labelling and marketing practices.

The FCCPC’s position was outlined in a formal written reply to CCNL’s amended appeal, dated October 22, 2024.

The commission reiterated its stance that Coca-Cola’s branding and marketing tactics were misleading to consumers and violated competition and consumer protection regulations.

The N186 million penalty was levied against CCNL following accusations of employing deceptive trade descriptions, particularly regarding its “Coca-Cola Original Taste” and “Coca-Cola Original Taste, Less Sugar” products.

The FCCPC claimed that the company presented the two variants as identical in formulation, misleading consumers about their differences.

In its defence, Coca-Cola, through its legal counsel, Gbolahan Elias, argued that the FCCPC exceeded its statutory powers by acting as complainant, investigator, prosecutor, and judge …