Ogun Court jails Samson Okonkwo for selling 317 coils of fake Coleman cables

A Magistrate Court in Ogun State has sentenced Samson Okonkwo to imprisonment with hard labour, without an option of fine, after convicting him of offences involving counterfeit electrical cables bearing the Coleman brand.

The judgment was delivered on September 24, 2026, by Magistrate O. P. Mobee at the Magistrate Court in the Ojodu Abiodun Magisterial District, following a trial over the possession and sale of cables allegedly bearing forged marks of Coleman Technical Industries Limited.

Okonkwo was arraigned on April 10, 2025, alongside other defendants who are currently at large, in Charge No. MOJ/138C/2025. The four-count charge included conspiracy, forgery, unlawful possession and the fraudulent sale of counterfeit electrical cables.

According to reports of the proceedings, the prosecution tendered 317 coils of cables bearing Coleman packaging as exhibits. Evidence presented to the court reportedly showed differences between the seized products and genuine cables obtained from the company, including discrepancies in weight and copper content.

In his defence, Okonkwo reportedly told the court that he had traded in electrical goods for about 20 years and purchased the cables from Alaba Market. He also presented receipts for the purchases.

The court, however, found him guilty after concluding that the prosecution had established the counterfeit nature of the products and that his defence did not sufficiently rebut the evidence presented.

The magistrate reportedly considered Okonkwo’s status as a first-time offender, a family man and a breadwinner before imposing the sentence, while noting the potential dangers associated with counterfeit electrical cables, including electrical fires and electrocution.

Reacting to the judgment, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the investigators and prosecution team for pursuing the case to its conclusion, according to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi.

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 the public to help identify counterfeit products and protect consumers.

The command advised residents to exercise caution when purchasing electrical products and report suspected counterfeit goods through appropriate channels.

Counterfeit or substandard electrical cables can pose serious safety risks if they fail to meet required specifications, potentially contributing to overheating, electrical faults and fires. Consumers are therefore advised to buy electrical products from reputable suppliers and check product labels and certification details.

The police command said it would continue working to protect lives and property and combat economic crime across Ogun State.