The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, today adjourned in hearing of criminal charges filed against British American Tobacco Nigeria Limited (BATN) and one of its official, Austin Okonji, till October 4, 2022.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had charged both BATN and Okonji, before the court for allegedly obstructing and impeding the Police and PCCPC’s officials from executing a search warrant issued by an Abuja division of the court in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1662/2020, issued on December 29, 2020 and renewed on January 5, 2021.
They were alleged to have committed the alleged offences at their Lagos office, located at 2, Olumegbon Close Ikoyi.
Both BATN and Okonji were slammed with a three-count charge of conspiracy and perverting the cause of justice.
The offences the agency said are contrary to section 28(5), 110 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 and punishable under the same Act. And section 32 (4) of the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, punishable under Section 34 (1) and (2)(b) of the same Act.
The charges against the tobacco firm and Okonji reads: “That you British American Tabacco Nigeria Limited and Austin Okonji ‘M’ at Olumegbon Close Ikoyi Lagos State about the 25th day of January 2021, at No. 2, Olumegbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obstruct and impede access to the Authorised Officers of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in the execution of a search warrant issued by an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division made in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1662/2020 on 29th December 2020 and renewed on 5th January 2021, which Warrant was issued pursuant to Sections 2 and 29 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act. 2018 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 28(5) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 and punishable under the same Act.
Count Two: “That you British American Tobacco Nigeria Limited and Austin Okonji ‘M’ on or about the 25th day of January 2021, at No. 2, Olumegbon Close Ikoyi, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did impede and obstruct Investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission when execution of a search, warrant issued by an Order of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division made in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/1662/2020 on 23 December 2020 and renewed on 5 January 2021, which warrant was issued pursuant to Sections 27, 28, and 29 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection on Act, 2018 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 110 of the Federal Competition Consumer Protection and punishable under Section 110 of the Act.
Count Three: “that you British American Tobacen Nigeria Limlted and Austin Okonji, on or about the 25th day of January 5 2021, at No.2 Olumeghon Close Ikoyi, Lagos State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court having a business and being an employee in the tobacco industry did hinder the police and Authorised Officers of the Federal Competition end Consumer Protection Commission under Section 20 (1)(a) and (f) of the National Tabacco Regulation, 20 9 in the course of carrying out their duties and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 32(4) of the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 34 (1) and (2)(b) of the same Act”.
At the resumed hearing of the charges against the tobacco firm and it’s official, the prosecutor, Mr. Abimbola Ojenike, told the court that parties could not reach amicable settlement on the matter.
He consequently asked for a short date for the matter to be fixed for the arraignment of the firm and it’s official.
Responding, counsel to the tobacco firm and it’s official, Kanmi Adeola and Professor Taiwo Osipintan (SAN), informed the court the Commission (PCCPC) has communicated some terms to their clients and that parties are still exploring settlement.
Both Kanmi and Osipintan (SAN) therefore asked the court for further date to enable parties fully explore the terms of settlement.
The prosecutor while admitting that parties are still exploring terms of settlement, however urged the court to adjourn the matter for report of settlement and arraignment of the defendants, should in case the settlement arrangement did not work out.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, after listening to submissions of counsel, adjourned that matter till October 4, for further report on settlement.
