Coleman Technical Industries Limited, a leading cable manufacturer in Nigeria, has urged the government to impose stiffer sanctions on counterfeit cable makers. 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. Onafowokan stated that weak enforcement was encouraging the growth of the illicit trade, which posed a significant threat to the country's economy and consumer safety.
Onafowokan criticized the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for not doing enough to prosecute counterfeiters, alleging that the regulator often focused on charging manufacturers for testing cables rather than working with relevant agencies to prosecute those involved in counterfeiting. He argued that confiscating and destroying counterfeit cables without prosecuting those responsible would not serve as an effective deterrent. According to Onafowokan, SON needed to strengthen its enforcement efforts to protect genuine manufacturers and consumers from substandard products.
The Coleman boss questioned the number of counterfeiters prosecuted by SON, alleging that the regulator had not done enough to ensure that offenders faced criminal sanctions. He cited the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as an example of a regulator that had intensified enforcement against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Onafowokan emphasized that substandard cables could cause fires and endanger lives, making stronger enforcement and prosecution necessary.
Onafowokan disclosed that Coleman had been working with the Nigeria Police Force, including the office of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and various zonal and state commands, to tackle cable counterfeiting. He said the company had incurred significant costs supporting investigations and legal processes, including laboratory testing of suspected adulterated cables. According to Onafowokan, Coleman was 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.
The Coleman CEO explained that counterfeit cables were highly profitable because they were produced with reduced quantities and inferior materials but sold at prices close to those of genuine products. He said substandard cables could contain 30 to 40 per cent less material in length, allowing counterfeiters to make excessive profits while putting consumers at risk. Onafowokan also called for greater government support for local manufacturers under the Nigeria First policy, noting that the company had benefited from increasing local-content opportunities in the oil and gas and telecommunications sectors.
Coleman Executive Director, Michael Onafowokan, echoed the call for stronger enforcement efforts, noting that counterfeiting was increasingly taking place within Nigeria in addition to the importation of substandard products. He urged SON to create an enabling environment for quality products while tackling counterfeiters. The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ilori Sanusi, called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to review existing laws and ensure that penalties for counterfeiting were commensurate with the seriousness of the offences.
The stakeholders emphasized that inadequate punishment could encourage offenders, stressing that penalties should be strong enough to serve as a deterrent. The company is optimistic that with stronger enforcement and prosecution, the incidence of counterfeit cables in Nigeria can be reduced, thereby protecting consumers and local manufacturers. Key stakeholders are now calling for a comprehensive approach to tackle the issue, including stronger laws, enhanced enforcement, and greater collaboration between regulatory agencies and industry players.
Key points
- Coleman Technical Industries Limited has urged the government to impose stiffer sanctions on counterfeit cable makers.
- The company's Managing Director, George Onafowokan, criticized the Standard Organisation of Nigeria for not doing enough to prosecute counterfeiters.
- The stakeholders emphasized that inadequate punishment could encourage offenders, stressing that penalties should be strong enough to serve as a deterrent.
