A former vice-chancellor of the Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest
Izevbigie, has dragged Nigerian Breweries Plc before an Edo State High
Court sitting in Benin for alleged deception.
Izevbigie accused the company of allegedly inscribing misleading
information of “low sugar” on the container of Amstel Malta, which he
said is false.
The case was filed before the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Esohe
Ikponmwen, through the claimant’s lawyer, Mr. Okonkwo Emmanuel, of Henry
Idahagbon and Co.
Izevbigie said he had during a medical check-up discovered an increase in his blood sugar level.
He also claimed that he had traced the challenge to his regular intake of the malt drink.
The professor of Biochemistry alleged that a laboratory investigation
revealed that the product contained more sugar than the company claimed
in the inscription on the brand.
He, therefore, urged the court to order the company to tender a written
apology as the he had been injured by the alleged deception.
He also stated that the label was misleading to the public.
During cross-examination on Tuesday by the counsel to the defendant, Mr. L. O. Ogiefere, the ex-VC told the court that malt did not merit the “low sugar” label, according to clinical research.
According to Izevbigie, the drink allegedly contained 10 cubes of sugar
as against the 10 and a half to 10 one-quarter cubes contained in other
malt drinks which did not have the inscription.
The presiding judge adjourned the matter till June 28 for the defendant to open its case.
