The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (CCNL) has cleared the air over recent reports that the government charged the company and its executives over the violation of human rights act, stating in strong terms that nothing of such happened.

Below is a Media Statement from the company;

RE: FG CHARGES NBC, COCA-COLA, CHIEF EXECUTIVES

WITH VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

The attention of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (CCNL) has been drawn to certain news reports on the subject.

We wish to comment as follows:

1.   We note from media reports that criminal charges have been filed against NBC and CCNL in relation to alleged violations of the orders that were issued by the Consumer Protection Council in February 2014, following a consumer complaint involving two (2) short-filled cans of Sprite. To date we have not been served with any criminal charges.
2.   NBC and CCNL have the utmost respect for the Consumer Protection Council as a regulator and an agency of government and will continue to cooperate with the Council on this matter.
3.    We filed applications for a judicial review of these orders in February 2014, which review is pending in the courts. We do not believe that our submission to judicial review is in violation of the Council’s orders. We have full trust in the Nigerian judicial system.
4.    Our consumers and customers are our highest priority. NBC and CCNL take all matters relating to our products very seriously and remain committed to maintaining the highest international quality and food safety standards.
5.    Out of respect for the ongoing court processes, we do not wish to comment further in public on this issue.

Signed: Uzo Odenigbo
Head, Public Affairs & Communications
Nigerian Bottling Company Limited,

Clem Ugorji
Director, Public Affairs & Communications
Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited.