Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of a Federal High Court, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono, a brewer of fake wine and spirit drinks to a total of 40 years imprisonment.
Also convicted and sentenced to the same jail-term is 28 years old, Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, who is said to be a seller of the fake assorted drinks.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa gave the verdict on the two convicts, sequel to their guilty plea to the eight count charge of conspiracy, and production of the unwholesome drinks.
The prosecutor, Barrister B. Simon, had informed the court that the convict’s were arrested following an Intel received that they were counterfeiting some exotic drinks, which includes Hennessy V. S. O. P, Hennessy Very Special, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Williams Lawson Blended Scotch Whiskey and Gordons Dry Gin and others assorted drinks.
The prosecutor told the court that the two convicts who resides at 4, Kojo Street, Ijanikin, Lagos and 1, Lane 3, Cele bus stop, ljanikin, Lagos, were arrested on December 3, 2025, with the counterfeited drinks.
He also informed the court that during the convicts’ arrest, several bottles, labels, corks and fake assorted drinks were recovered from their residence.
During the arrraignment of the convicts, the prosecutor called Mr. Odesola Akinwale, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration Agency (NAFDAC), who narrated to court how the convicts were arrested, as well, tendered all exhibits in the matter.
The prosecutor told the court that the acts of the convicts are contrary to Section 1(a); 1(c); 1(1) and 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the same Act. As well as Section 5 of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 17 (1) of the same Act.
Upon conclusion of evidence by the prosecution witness, the prosecutor urged the court to convict and sentence the two convicts accordingly.
However, the convicts’ lawyer, Barr. Ugochukwu Jonathan, in his allocutor pleaded with the court to give his clients a non-custodian sentence.
In urging the court to consider his request, Jonathan told said his clients are first time offenders, who did not waste the precious time of the court. Adding that they have vowed not to engage in any illegal acts.
In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa while decried the damages done to the kidneys and livers of those who unknowingly consumed such counterfeited drinks, however put into consideration the allocutor made by the counsel.
The judge consequently sentenced the two convicts to five years imprisonment on each of the eight counts. In the alternative, the judge ordered each of the convicts to pay the sum of N10 million on each counts.
The judge however held that the sentence shall run concurrently.
Counts one and eight of the charges against the convicts read: “That you, Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono, Male, 58 Years Old, of No 4, Kojo Street, Ijanikin, Lagos, and Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, Male, 28 Years Old, of No. 1, Lane 3, Cele bus stop, ljanikin, Lagos, on or about the 3rd day of December, 2025, at No 4, Kojo Street, ljanikin, Lagos and Vespa Market, Ijanikin, Lagos, respectively, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, were found in possession of unwholesome processed foods to wit: Hennessy V. S. O. P, Hennessy Very Special,
Jameson Irish Whiskey, Williams Lawson Blended Scotch Whiskey and Gordons Dry Gin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the same Act.
“That you, Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, Male, 28 Years Old, of No. 1, Lane 3, Cele bus stop, Ijanikin, Lagos, on or about the 3rd day of December, 2025, at No 4, Kojo Street, Ijanikin, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did display unwholesome processed foods for the purpose of sale, to wit:- Hennessy Very Special, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Williams Lawson Blended Scotch Whiskey and Gordons Dry Gin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN,2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the same Act.”
