Following a meeting held at the weekend, the committee of Chief Executive Officers (CEO) have decided to attend the court proceeding of the case between CPC and NBC/Coca Cola at Abuja on Monday, to protest the highhandedness by the industry’s regulatory body, Consumer Protection Council (CPC).
The court case would hold by 9a.m at 4th Floor, Federal High Court, Shehu Shagari Way, Central District Abuja.
According to a document released by the CEOs, at the end of the meeting, “the industry had suffered for long in the hands of some Government Departments and Agencies.”
They maintained that the wanton intimidation and threats of “closure of company operations” for real or alleged infractions is a great challenge to their businesses.
“The current example of Consumer Protection Council and Federal Ministry of Justice dragging Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and their Chief Executives to court for criminal charges are examples of regulatory agencies highhandedness,” the CEOs said.
“The need for all in Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) to support the two companies and stand in solidarity to curtail the spillover effect of the activities of Consumer Protection Council had been thoroughly considered at the Committee of Chief Executives meeting held today, Friday 7th November 2014.
Consumer Protection Council Counsel’s demand that bench warrant be issued for the arrest of the two Chief Executives (Chief Executives of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and Cola-Cola Nigeria Limited) might be followed up at the court sitting on Monday, 10th November 2014.”
The CEOs therefore resolved that it was imperative for them to be represented to attend the court sitting for show of solidarity and fearless disposition to ensure that principle of fair hearing, justice and respect for proprietary rights are upheld in Nigeria.
“Your presence/company’s representation at the court sitting to support this common course will speak volume in curtailing the activities of Consumer Protection Council,” the CEOs said.
They encouraged members of the committee to wear their branded shirts and “fill the court room.
“Injury to one is injury to all!” the CEOs said in the document.
