The Federal Government today arraigned two traders operating at the Balogun Market ,Idumota, Lagos, Ike Afam and Onyechi Izuchukwu for conspiring among themselves to counterfeit and repackage X-pression hair attachment {Rich Braid) .
Ike Afam and Onyechi Izuchukwu were both arraigned before Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos by the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, on a five count charge of conspiracy, counterfeiting and repackaging of X-pression hair attachment {Rich Braid) knowing same to be false and misleading.
The defendants according to the charge, were also alleged to have dealt in manufactured product to wit: X-presssion hair attachment (Rich Braid) which is not of the nature expected of the product and did apply false trademark to X-pression hair attachment (Rich Braid) calculated to deceive the general public that they are genume X-pression hair attachment
The offence according to the charge is said to be contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, cap C39 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The offense according to the charge is also said to be punishable under section 1(18)}(a\() of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, taws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the five counts charge and the prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Lawan asked the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
Meanwhile, due to submissions of counsel to both defendants, Mr E. E. Okoli, the trial judge,Justice Friday Ogazi adjourned the matter till tomorrow for the hearing and determination of the defendants’ bail application.
The charge against the two defendants reads: That you Ike Afam and Onyechi Izuchukwu Steve, both male and adults on or about 24 December 2022 at Balogun Market, Idumota within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to counterfeited and repackage X-pression hair attachment {Rich Braid) knowing same to be false and misleading and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, cap C39 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
COUNT 2
That you ike Afam and Onyechi Izuchukwu Steve, both male and adults on or about 2% December 2022 at Balogun market, idumota within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did deal in manufactured product to wit: X-presssion hair attachment (Fach Braid) which is not of the nature expected of the product and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(18)}(a\() of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, taws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
COUNT 3
That you Ike Afam and Onyechi Izuchukwu Steve, both male and adults on or about 2*4 December 2022 at Balogun market, Idumota within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did apply false trademark fo X-pression has attachment (Rich Braid) calculated to deceive that they are genume X-pression hair attachment and thereby commatted an offence contrary to section 3(1)(b) of the Merchandese Marks Act, cap M10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under secton 3(3) of the same taw.
COUNT 4
Den Me Atam and lzuchukwu Steve, both male and adults on or about 2×4 Fi fren aa &t Balogun market, idumota within the jurisdiction ofthis honourable court
ave in your possession X-pression hair attachment for sale to which a forged trademark of X-pression hair is applied and thereby commatted an offence contrary to section 3(2) of the Merchandise Marks Act, cap M10 Laws of the Federaton of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 3(3) of the same law.
COUNT 5
That you Ike Afam and Onyechi truchukwu Steve, both male and adults on or about 2 December 2022 at Balogun market, Idumota within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did package X-pression hair attachment (Rich Braid) in a manner that is misleading or likely to create a wrong impression as to its character and composition and thereby committed an Offence contrary to section 1(1}{a) of the Trade Malpractices (Miscellaneous Offences) Act, Cap T12 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 1(1}(h) of the same law.
Meanwhile, commenting on today’s arraignment,the Company Secretary of Solpia Nigeria Limited, manufacture of X-pression ,Prince Azubuike Onyekwelu commended SON for the arrest and prosecution of the defendants.
Prince Onyekwelu said with the collaboration of SON and genuine businessmen in the country, there is no more hiding place for counterfeiters of X-pression products.
He added that the company has spread its it nationwide to capture unscrupulous persons engaged in adultrating the product.
Onyekwelu advised counterfeiters to look for another business as anybody caught will have a day in court. He emphasized that X -pression remains the best hair attachment in Nigeria.
The company assured its numerous customers to maintain their confidence in the product, which he described as King of Hair Attachments.
