Guinness withdraws suit against NAFDAC

Guinness Nigeria limited has filed a notice to discontinue the suit it instituted against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Attorney General of the Federation.

The plaintiff had filed the action at the federal high court, Lagos, following the N1billion fine imposed on it by the regulatory body on November 9, 2015.

According to Guinness, the decision to terminate the court action was predicated on the letter written to it by NAFDAC, dated February 15, 2016, offering to get the dispute resolved out of court.
“As part of the resolution, NAFDAC would be present during the destruction of the expired raw materials in Guinness-rented warehouse,” having both agreed to follow this procedure in their future dealings.

As part of the agreement, Guinness agreed to pay administrative and service charges to NAFDAC, to cover the cost of the investigative and inspection of raw materials carried out by the Agency, as well as the supervision by NAFDAC of the destruction of the raw materials which would be carried out by Guinness Nigeria.

Already, the firm said, the administrative and service charges of approximately N11.4m have since been paid to NAFDAC.

Guinness has maintained its resolve to continue to operate under highest standard of quality in its production and processes, being guided, not only by Nigerian but global best practices.

The company in a statement said, it acknowledges the support received from the Minister of Health and from the former Director-General and senior management of NAFDAC, towards the amicable resolution of the matter.
It pledged its commitment to maintaining and fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with NAFDAC.