By Bimbola Oyesola
Against the backdrop of the arrest of some unscrupulous businessmen for allegedly operating an illegal scheme to adulterate Coleman Wires and cables, the management of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited has raised the alarm over the escalating menace of product adulteration in the industry.
This is even as it warned of the implications on jobs and the overall economy.
Speaking at the company’s inaugural Stakeholders’ Engagement with Distributors, the managing director, Mr. George Onafowokan, emphasized that tackling product adulteration was Coleman’s top priority for the year, with a strategic focus on eliminating the menace entirely.
Onafowokan urged distributors to collaborate with the company in combating the menace, reaffirming Coleman’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its products and ensuring that only authentic Coleman cables reach the market.
According to reports, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, following a formal complaint from Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited. The company accused them of flooding the market with substandard products fraudulently labelled as genuine Coleman products.
Police investigations revealed that the counterfeit operation not only misled unsuspecting buyers but also posed serious safety risks and damaged the brand’s reputation.
The illicit operation was uncovered on March 19, 2025, when Coleman’s representatives identified the fraudulent activities and promptly reported the matter to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Adegoke Fayoade.
Acting on the AIG’s directive, a police task force raided the suspects’ operational bases, leading to their arrest.
Following an investigation led by the police, the suspects were arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and product adulteration—offences that violate Sections 411 and 160(a) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Despite pleading not guilty, the court ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions. The case has been adjourned for further hearing as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to clamp down on economic crimes and counterfeit goods in Lagos State.
Commending law enforcement agencies, the Coleman MD applauded Assistant Inspector General of Police Adegoke Fayoade and the Inspector General of Police for their dedication to protecting Nigerian businesses from unscrupulous criminals seeking to profit from the hard work of others while endangering lives.
The Coleman management further appealed to Nigerians to report any suspicious activity or suspected fraud to the nearest police station or state office to curb the spread of counterfeit products, protect jobs and the economy.