Coleman Technical Industries Limited has demanded stiffer penalties for manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit and substandard cables in Nigeria. The company's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, George Onafowokan, made the call during a media tour of Coleman's factories in Sagamu, Ogun State. He emphasized that weak enforcement is encouraging the growth of the illicit trade, putting genuine manufacturers and consumers at risk.
Onafowokan argued that confiscating and destroying counterfeit cables without prosecuting those responsible would not serve as an effective deterrent. He questioned the number of counterfeiters prosecuted by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), alleging that the regulator had not done enough to ensure that offenders faced criminal sanctions. This, he believes, has emboldened counterfeiters to continue their activities.
The Coleman boss also alleged that SON sometimes focuses on charging manufacturers for testing cables rather than working with relevant agencies to prosecute those involved in counterfeiting. He cited the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as an example of a regulator that has intensified enforcement against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Onafowokan suggested that SON should emulate NAFDAC's approach.
Onafowokan stressed that substandard cables could cause fires and endanger lives, making stronger enforcement and prosecution necessary. He noted that counterfeit cables are highly profitable because they are produced with reduced quantities and inferior materials but sold at prices close to those of genuine products. This allows counterfeiters to make excessive profits while putting consumers at risk.
According to Onafowokan, Coleman has been working with the Nigeria Police Force, including the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Tunji Disu, and various zonal and state Police Commands, to tackle cable counterfeiting. The company has incurred significant costs supporting investigations and legal processes, including laboratory testing of suspected adulterated cables.
Coleman is awaiting the conclusion of a case that could become the first in Nigeria in which a person would be convicted and jailed specifically for adulterating cables. Onafowokan disclosed that substandard cables could be 30 to 40 per cent less material in length, allowing counterfeiters to make excessive profits while putting consumers at risk. He also called for greater government support for local manufacturers under the Nigeria First policy.
Coleman Executive Director, Michael Onafowokan, also spoke on the issue, saying SON has a critical responsibility to create an enabling environment for quality products while tackling counterfeiters. He urged the regulator to strengthen its enforcement efforts, noting that counterfeiting is increasingly taking place within Nigeria in addition to the importation of substandard products. The company believes that stronger enforcement will protect both genuine manufacturers and consumers.
Key points
- Coleman Technical Industries Limited is calling for stiffer penalties for cable counterfeiters in Nigeria.
- The company's CEO, George Onafowokan, believes that weak enforcement is encouraging the growth of the illicit trade.
- Coleman is working with the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies to tackle cable counterfeiting.
