The Federal High Court of Nigeria has convicted and sentenced two men to a combined 40-year jail term for producing and selling counterfeit alcoholic beverages in Lagos State.
The convicts, Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono, 58, and Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, 28, were found guilty of offences linked to the manufacture, possession, sale and distribution of adulterated and unregistered alcoholic drinks.
Delivering judgment, Justice Allagoa J. held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly sentenced the defendants on the eight-count charge filed against them.
The offences were uncovered during an enforcement operation carried out on December 3, 2025, at Kojo Street, Ijanikin, and Vespa Market in Lagos, where authorities discovered large quantities of counterfeit and unregistered alcoholic beverages.
Items recovered during the raid included fake versions of popular brands such as Hennessy V.S.O.P, Hennessy Very Special, Jameson Irish Whiskey, William Lawson Blended Scotch Whisky and Gordon’s Dry Gin. Investigators found the products to be counterfeit, unwholesome, unregistered or misleadingly packaged.
Following their arrest, the suspects were arraigned on eight counts bordering on possession of unwholesome products, manufacture of counterfeit alcoholic beverages, and distribution and sale of fake drinks in violation of relevant laws.
The prosecution was led by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and sanitising the marketplace.
NAFDAC described the judgment as a significant milestone in the ongoing crackdown against counterfeit and substandard products, warning that adulterated alcoholic beverages pose grave health risks to consumers.
The agency stressed that the consumption of fake alcohol could lead to serious medical complications and, in some cases, fatal consequences due to the presence of harmful substances.
It assured Nigerians that enforcement operations would be intensified across the country to dismantle networks involved in the production and distribution of unsafe goods.
NAFDAC also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious products or activities to the nearest agency office, noting that public cooperation is crucial in the fight against counterfeit and harmful goods.
The conviction underscores the judiciary’s resolve to support regulatory agencies in curbing economic sabotage and protecting consumers from dangerous products circulating in the market.
