Tinubu Sacks Nigeria’s Antitrust Czar After Fining British Tobacco $110m

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Babatunde Irukera, the executive vice chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Irukera was appointed DG of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in April 2017, but after the transition of CPC into the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in December 2019, he became the EVC.

The sack was contained in a statement signed by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday evening.

Last month, the FCCP under Irukera fined the British American Tobacco Plcs in Nigeria a sum of $110 million, as part of the resolution for alleged market dominance abuse in Nigeria, which includes violations of public health regulations.

BAT was penalised for alleged market dominance abuse in Nigeria, which includes violations of public health regulations.

The antitrust agency said it levied the fine after a three-year probe into practices at the cigarette maker.

According to reports, FCCPC said BAT parties will be subject to compliance and monitoring for 24 months to ensure adherence to appropriate behavioural and business practices.

BAT, known for brands like Lucky Strike and Dunhill, was also found penalizing retailers for offering fair platforms to its competitors’ products.

The antitrust agency said it levied the fine after a three-year probe into practices at the cigarette maker. Osun Defender learnt that the company in its 2022 annual report mentioned the investigation, a spokesperson for British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Ltd. said in a statement to Bloomberg.

FCCPC said BAT parties will be subject to compliance and monitoring for 24 months to ensure adherence to appropriate behavioural and business practices. Also, the companies are obligated to engage in mandatory public health and tobacco control advocacy in line with relevant legislation.

Accepting his dismissal, Irukera said he is grateful for the “opportunity to have served the incredibly vibrant & loyal Nigerian citizens/consumers”.

“They deserve a better deal. I leave behind a strong Institutional advocate in the FCCPC, & an outstanding team of soldiers who work there daily for the cause of fair markets,” he said.

President Tinubu also sacked Alexander Okoh, the director-general and chief executive officer (CEO), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), also appointed in 2017 alongside Irukera.

Both dismissals Ngelale said take immediate effect.