A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, insisted that the Managing Director of Coca-Cola, Mr. Adeola Adetunji must appear in court since he has been served the processes in the case.
The court also ordered that the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ben Langat, must also appear before the Court.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed a criminal charge against Coca-Cola Chief Executive over allegation that they produced substandard product.
At the last adjourned date, the court ordered that the Coca-Cola and NBC helmsmen must appear in court.
But when the case came up yesterday, the CEOs of the two companies were absent in court.
When the trial judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu, asked about their whereabout, Mr Gbolahan Elias (SAN), told the court that they were not present in court despite admitting that they have been served with the processes in the case.
Justice Chukwu frowned at the submissions of the lawyer and warned counsel against terrorising the court, adding that impunity against court orders must stop.
Justice Chukwu, apparently displeased about the absence of the accused persons, said though he would not immediately take their pleas on the charges preferred against them because of the preliminary objections, his order should be respected with their physical presence in the court.
Prior to the judge’s charge, Counsel to Coca-Cola and Adetunji, Mr Elias, was laying ground for their objection on the case when Counsel to the government, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), objected and said, “the court ordered a substituted service and that has been carried out and the proof of service is before the court, I am surprised that the accused persons are not in court today, my Lord.”
But Elias, while admitting that the order for substituted service was given, insisted that, “before the motion by the learned silk for the substituted service, there was a preliminary objection that he did not have the authorization to prosecute this matter.
“My Lord, it is important that we resolve this issue of representation,” he added.
Responding, Ojo insisted that the issue is that an order was given by court and the order has been effected, saying also that the issue is that once an order of court is given, it must be carried out.
The order! He said stands until it is set aside by the court.
