SON Arraigns Fake Lubricant Manufacturer At Aspamda International Trade Fair

SON Arraigns Fake Lubricant Manufacturer At Aspamda International Trade Fair

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has arraigned one Solomon Otumgbo, who was arrested at the Aspanda Trade Fair International Market for allegedly cloning Harden Engine Oil, which has been in circulation for months and suspected to be substandard at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
This followed SON’s continuous effort to crack down on substandard lubricants and other products flooding the Nigerian market and its core mandate enshrined in the SON Act 2015, which is safeguarding and improving lives through standards.

 During Solomon’s arraignment before Justice Abimbola Awogboro on a four-count charge, the prosecutor, Yusuf Lawan, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on November 11, 2022, at Aspamda International Trade Fair, Lagos.
Lawan told the court that the defendant deals in substandard engine oil named Hardex SN Gold SAE 5W-30, a fully Synthetic Engine Oil, which did not conform with the mandatory Industrial Standard for synthetic lubricating oil for motor vehicles NIS 1024:2018.
He also told the court that the defendant without lawful authority or licence did engage in dealing and selling of Hardex SN Gold SAE 5W-30 Fully Synthetic Engine Oil, adding that the offences committed by the defendant were contrary to and punishable under section 26(2) (b)(ii) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, 2015.
He also said the offences contravened Sections 1(18)(a)(ii); 1(48)(a)(ii) and 1(17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences for which the prosecutor asked for a short date for trial while urging the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) until the determination of the charges.
However, Barrister Onah Chinedu, who appeared for the defendant pro bono, asked the court for a short date to enable him to file the defendant’s bail application.
The lawyer also pleaded with the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID), Alagbon in Ikoyi, Lagos until the hearing and determination of the bail application.
In her bench ruling, Justice Awogboro ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Force CID custody and adjourned the matter till May 5, 2023, for a hearing of the bail application.