Judge’s Absence Stalls Trial Of 2 Men Charged With Counterfeiting

The scheduled trial of two businessmen, Ike Afam and Onyechi Izuchukwu Steve, charged before a Lagos Federal High Court, for alleged counterfeiting of X-pression hair attachment, was stalled today, due to the absence of the trial judge, who is said to be on official engagement.

Specifically, the prosecutor, Barrister Yusuf Lawan, while arraigning the two defendants, told the court that they were arrested on December 2, 2022, while Counterfeiting and re packaging ‘Rich Braid’, a brand of X-pression hair attachment, at the popular Balogun market ,Lagos Island,Lagos.

The prosecutor further told the court that the illegal acts of the two defendants are misleading and likely to create a wrong impression as to its character and composition of the X-pression hair attachment.

The prosecutor informed the court that the defendants’ actions contravened section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, cap C39 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Sections 1(18)(a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He also told the court that the alleged illegal acts of the defendants are contrary to sections 3(1)(b): 3(2) and 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.

The two defendants had denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed trial today, parties were told that the presiding judge, is on official assignment, hence the matter was adjourned to October 23, for commencement of the defendants’ trial.

Speaking on the alleged illegal acts of the defendants, the Company Secretary of Solpia Nigeria Limited, Prince Azubuike Onyekwelu, told journalists that the Company is ready to lead evidence against the defendants.

He expressed confidence that justice will be served on the fakers of X-pression products. While urging anyone still engaged in d illicit trade, that the long arms of the law must surely catch up with them.