A Federal High Court, Lagos, today remanded in police custody, a businessman, Ifeanyi Okoli, who allegedly imported 120,000 brands of substandard electric cables in 13 containers.
The court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the order following Okoli’s arraignment by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on a three-count charge of conspiracy and importation of substandard goods.
Okoli’s sole co-defendant in the suit marked FHC/1/388/2019, is his company, Natures Breeze Ltd.
The SON alleged that Okoli, 34, of 5, Igbeyin Adun Street, Shibiri, Lagos, arid Natures Breeze of the same address, committed the offence on or about October 31, 2019 and at the latter’s warehouse.
Prosecution counsel, Babatunde Alajogun said both defendants conspired to import “about 120,000 different brands of substandard electric cables in 13 containers which did not comply with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Mandatory Industrial Standard before importation”.
The offences, Alajogun added, contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.
Count One of the three-count charge reads: “That you Ifeanyi Okoli, 34 years, of No. 5, Igbeyin adun Street, Shibiri, and Nature’s Breeze of No 5, Igbeyin adun Street shibiri on or about 31st day of October, 2019, while at a warehouse at No 5 Igbeyin adun Street, Shibiri, did conspire to ‘commit a felony to wit: imported about 120,000 different brands of substandard electric cables in 13 containers which did not comply with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Mandatory Industrial Standard before importation and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 516, 26(2)(b)(iii) and (3)(a) of the Criminal Code Act CAP C39 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same Section.”
Okoli pleaded not guilty.
He urged the court to grant him a short adjournment so that he can bring his bail application.
He also urged the court to remand him in police custody, pending a date to hear his bail application.
Alajogun did not oppose him.
Justice Oweibo granted the defendant’s prayer and directed him to bring his bail application before February 27.
The judge adjourned till February 28 for the hearing of the application.
Picture: Okoli leaving the court after his arraignment.
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