A man has been convicted for offences involving counterfeit electrical cables bearing the Coleman brand, in a case highlighting the risks posed by fake electrical products to consumers and property owners.
The Ogun State Police Command said Samson Okonkwo was convicted on September 24, 2026, by His Worship O. P. Mobee at the Magistrate Court in the Ojodu Abiodun Magisterial District, Ogun State.
Okonkwo and other defendants, who are currently at large, were arraigned on April 10, 2025, on four counts bordering on conspiracy, forgery, unlawful possession and fraudulent sale of counterfeit electrical cables belonging to Coleman Technical Industries Limited.
The offences were alleged to have occurred between January 24 and April 9, 2025, in Akute, Ogun State.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence in support of the charges, while 317 coils of electrical cables bearing allegedly counterfeit Coleman packaging were admitted as exhibits. The court found Okonkwo guilty and sentenced him under Section 3(3)(b) of the Merchandise Marks Act.
Counterfeit and substandard electrical cables can increase the risk of electrical faults, fires and electrocution, potentially endangering lives and property.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the investigators and prosecution team for pursuing the case to its conclusion.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to investigating suspected counterfeiting offences and pursuing prosecution where sufficient evidence exists.
He also called for cooperation among law enforcement agencies, manufacturers, regulatory authorities and members of the public to identify counterfeit products, protect consumers and ensure suspected offenders face the appropriate legal process.
The police urged residents to exercise caution when purchasing electrical products and report suspected counterfeit goods through appropriate channels.