Two men identified as Uche Johnson and Kingsley Meteke have been convicted by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Lagos for producing and distributing substandard engine oil.
Both men were arraigned by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on four count charges of production, possession, dealing in and distribution of substandard engine oil.
The two men claimed that the products were good for public consumption and for optimum engine performance and sold them to unsuspecting buyers.
SON said the products failed the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s (SON) Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP).
The prosecution counsel argued that the offense contravened the provisions of sections 1(8) and 1(8)(II) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004.
Both men initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but later changed their plea to guilty.
The judge while delivering the judgment disclosed that their sentence will begin from January 27, 2019, when the defendants were arrested.
The prosecuting counsel, Joseph Olofindare told the court that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to manufacturers and importers of substandard products.
“I want to tell genuine manufacturers and consumers that they should not be despondent. SON is there to prosecute any offender. It’s a judgment that will send a message to the public that SON is working tirelessly under the leadership of Osita Aboloma.
If you’re an importer or manufacturer, you either bring products that are certified under Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) and SONCAP, otherwise the fate that befell these individuals will also befall those who are indulging in product adulteration.
For our consumers, the Director General and management are working tirelessly to ensure that consumers get value for their money and that only standard and certified products are in the market”, Olofindare said.
