By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A businessman Chidi Nwanyanwu, charged with adulteration of engine oil and inscribing forged Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) logos on the product has been remanded in police custody on the order of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Justice Maureen Onyetenu made the order on Tuesday after Nwanyanwu’s arraignment alongside his two firms, Two Ocean Oil Ltd and Hi-Power Lubricants.
Chidi Nwanyanwu was charged with four counts by the SON, bothering on “dealing in adulterated engine oil, non-compliance with SON’s Conformity Assessment Programme and forging of the SON’s logo, mark of quality and certification number”.
The SON’s counsel, Joseph Olofindare told the court that the defendants, of No. 21, Kenneth Obas Place Estate, Ojo, Lagos committed the offence, on or about February 1, 2021, at the Trade Fair Administrative Block Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
According to the charge, the offences are punishable under Section 26, 26(a)&(b) of the SON Act, 2015, and Section 1(18a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004.
After hearing the charge against them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Their counsel, Uchenna Umoneke, informed the court that his client’s bail motion had been filed and served on the prosecution.
SON’s counsel Olofindare did not oppose the application but alleged that Nwanyanwu had been evasive since 2016 and had dishonoured all of the SON’s invitations for a meeting on how to find a remedy for the problems created by his products.
Following the allegation, Umoneke prayed for a short date to enable him file a further and better affidavit for Nwanyanwu’s bail.
Granting his prayer, Justice Onyetenu, adjourned till March 10, 2021, for hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
She remanded Nwanyanwu at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Ikoyi, Lagos.