Faults SON’s weak prosecution, outdated penal code

Coleman Technical Industries Limited (CTIL) has called for stiffer penalties for importers, manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit and substandard cables, saying weak enforcement is encouraging the growth of the illicit trade.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CTIL, George Onafowokan, made the call yesterday while responding to questions from journalists after a media tour of Coleman’s factories in Sagamu, Ogun State.

Onafowokan said the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should strengthen its enforcement efforts to protect genuine manufacturers and consumers from substandard products.

He argued that confiscating and destroying counterfeit cables without prosecuting those responsible would not serve as an effective deterrent.

The Coleman boss questioned the number of counterfeiters prosecuted by SON, alleging that the regulator had not done enough to ensure that offenders face criminal sanctions.

He also alleged that SON sometimes focuses on charging manufacturers for testing cables rather than working with relevant agencies to prosecute those involved in counterfeiting.

Onafowokan said regulators should emulate the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which, according to him, had intensified enforcement against counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

He stressed 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.