Posted by By Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye on
A syndicate suspected to be manufacturing fake products has been smashed by the police in Lagos.
A syndicate suspected to be manufacturing fake products has been smashed by the police in Lagos.
Six suspects, Nduka Mbah, Onyeka Mbah. John Nwazugu, Obinna Ibeh, Samuel Akuebu, Emeka Godwin and Oladapo Lemomu were arrested in the Idumota area following a complaint by the Intercontinental Distillers Ltd. They were nabbed by policemen from the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti.
According to an official of the company, consumers had complained bitterly to them that their adulterated products were in the market.
"Some people go about selling fake squadron and Chelsea to consumers. When we got tired of the complaints, we decided to alert the police because it was affecting our image. If you are not very observant, you might not be able to tell the difference between the fake and the original", he said.
Daily Sun learnt that most of the seized fake goods were from the shop of one Oke Mbah. Oke was, however, not around, but his brothers, Nduka Mbah and Onyeka Mbah were caught.
The duo, however, denied knowing that the products were fake, "all we do is to sell the goods for our brother. We never knew they were fake because he never told us. We are new in Lagos. We just came back from the village. How were we supposed to know? Our shop is not hidden and people come to buy from us in broad daylight."
Another suspect, Oladapo Lemomu said that he was paying a visit to Oke when he was arrested. He said: "Oke is my friend. I just came to pay him a visit in the shop. I never knew that policemen were on his trail. He has never disclosed to me that he was selling fake products. When I got to the shop, his brothers told me that he was not around. I decided to wait for him. To my surprise, the policemen arrived and arrested me because I was in his shop."
Nwazugu, 22, also denied knowing about the fake products: "I just came from the East for a wedding. My business is in the east. I come to visit somebody at Idumota. The person's shop is near Oke's own. Police came into the shop and picked one up. I don't even understand what they are talking about."
Oke's neighbour, Emeka Godwin declared himself innocent, insisting that no fake products were found in his shop. He said: "I am not denying Oke. His shop is near mine and we know each other. When policemen entered Oke's shop, they also went into other shops. I was gisting with two of my friends and they picked us up."
The sixth suspect, Samuel Akuebu said: " Is it a crime to visit one's friend? I am an international businessman. I was discussing business with Emeka in his shop when I was picked up."
Debunking the claims, the Investigating Police Officer said the suspects had questions to answer. He insisted that they were not out to get anybody but were simply doing their jobs.
"When we saw Oladapo in Oke's shop, didn't we arrest him? If we were pursuing an agenda, we would have left him. They are only out to blackmail us," he said.