The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alcoholic

  • Couple arrested in Lagos for allegedly producing fake alcoholic drinks

    Couple arrested in Lagos for allegedly producing fake alcoholic drinks

    Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have arrested a couple for alleged production and distribution of various adulterated alcoholic beverages.

    The Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), Umma Ayuba, a Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed the arrest in a statement yesterday in Lagos.

    She said the crackdown occurred on April 4, when a team of detectives from the Zone 2 Raider Section, led by Ngozi Braide, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) conducted a raid on a residence in Muibi Olawumi Close, Off Ayetoto/Itẹle Road, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State.

    “Acting on intelligence, the officers discovered an illicit operation producing counterfeit wines, liquor, champagne, and other alcoholic drinks,” she said.

    SP Ayuba said the raid yielded a significant incriminating evidence.

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    The SP said: “The evidence includes unlabeled and branded bottles of suspected adulterated alcoholic drinks, various containers filled with mixtures suspected to be ingredients for the adulterated beverages.

    “Also, equipment used in the production process, such as pumping machines, funnels, and sealing machines.

    “Other items include brand label of Del-Mud, Del-Mud Royal, Smooth Brandy Wine Drinks in packs, a funnel containing a white handkerchief (used as filter) and corkscrew among various other production and branding items,” she said.

    The Zonal PRO said that one Margret Austine was apprehended at the scene and she confessed to involvement in the illegal operation for about six years,  alongside her husband, Austine Idemudia (a.k.a. “Baba Joshua”).

    “Margret, who confessed to the crime, confirmed that their adulterated finished products are sold to buyers across Lagos state and Ogun”, she said.

  • Buhari approves new excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages, tobacco

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved an amendment to the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco with effect from Monday, 4th June, 2018.

     A statement from the federal ministry of finance signed by Oluyinka Akintunde Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance said President Buhari has also granted a grace period of 90 days (three months) to all manufacturers before the commencement of the new excise duty regime.

     Oluyinka Akintunde however said there “is no increase in excise duty of other locally excisable products.”

     The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who made this known on Sunday in Abuja, stated that the new excise duty rates were spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in order to moderate the impact on prices of the products.

     The Minister disclosed that “the new excise duty regimes followed all-inclusive stakeholder engagements by the Tariff Technical Committee of the Federal Ministry of Finance with key industry stakeholders.”

     According to her, the upward review of the excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages and tobacco was to achieve a dual benefit of raising the government’s fiscal revenues and reducing the health hazards associated with tobacco-related diseases and alcohol abuse.

     She said, “the Tariff Technical Committee (TCC) recommended the slight adjustment in the excise duty charges after cautious considerations of the government’s Fiscal Policy Measures for 2018 and the reports of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Technical Assistance Mission on Nigeria’s Fiscal Policy.

     “The effect of the excise duty rates adjustment on trade and investment was also assessed by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and it adopted the recommendations of the TTC.”

     Adeosun added that “peer country comparisons were also carried out showing Nigeria as being behind the curve in the review of excise duty rates on alcoholic beverages and tobacco.”

     Following the President’s approval, Adeosun disclosed that the new excise duty rate on tobacco was now a combination of the existing ad-valorem base rate and specific rate while the ad-valorem rate was replaced with a specific rate for alcoholic beverages.

    The Minister added that, “for alcoholic beverages, the current ad-valorem rate will be replaced with specific rates and spread over three years to moderate the impact on prices. This will curb the discretion in the Unit Cost Analysis (UCA) for determining the ad-valorem rate and prevent revenue leakages.”

    “For Tobacco, the government will maintain the current ad-valorem rate of 20 per cent and introduce additional specific rates with the implementation to be spread over a three-year period to also reasonably reduce the impact on prices.”

    Under the newly approved excise duty rates for tobacco in addition to the 20 per cent ad-valorem rate, each stick of cigarette will attract a N1 specific rate per stick (N20 per pack of 20 sticks) in 2018, N2 specific rate per stick (N40 per pack of 20 sticks) in 2019 and N2.90k specific rate per stick (N58 per pack of 20 sticks) in 2020.

    The Minister explained that Nigeria’s cumulative specific excise duty rate for tobacco was 23.2 per cent of the price of the most sold brand, as against 38.14 per cent in Algeria, 36.52 per cent in South Africa and 30 per cent in Gambia.

    The new specific excise duty rate for alcoholic beverages cuts across Beer & Stout, Wines and Spirits for the three years 2018 to 2020.

    Under the new regime, Beer & Stout would attract N0.30k per centiliter (Cl) in 2018 and N0.35k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020.

    Wines would attract N1.25k per Cl in 2018 and N1.50k per Cl each in 2019 and 2020, while N1.50k per Cl was approved for Spirits in 2018, N1.75k per Cl in 2019 and N2.00k per Cl in 2020.

    The Minister added that the new excise duty regimes are in line with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) directive on the harmonisation of member-states’ legislations on excise duties.

    It would be recalled that the ECOWAS Council of Ministers had at its 62nd and 79th Ordinary Sessions in Abuja in May 2009 and December 2017, respectively, issued directives on the harmonisation of the ECOWAS Member States’ Legislations on Excise Duties.

    The directives seek to harmonise member-states’ legislations on excise duties of non-oil products and also stipulate the scope of application, rate of taxation, taxable event and amount.

  • NB launches Zobo alcoholic drink

    NB launches Zobo alcoholic drink

    Nigerian Breweries Plc has  introduced Ace Desire, the first Zobo-flavoured alcoholic drink, into the market.

    Its Marketing Director, Mr. Franco Maria Maggi, explained to reporters in Lagos, that Ace Desire cotains spirit, natural Hibiscus or zobo extracts, being the traditional beverage produced from Hibiscus leaves.

    “This rich combination of a balanced mix of spirit and Hibiscus extracts contains 5.5 percent alcohol, and offers a tingling sensation and rich aroma,” he said.

    According to him, Ace Desire, packaged in a 33cl glass bottle, stands out among other products on the Ready-to-Drink category.

    He added that Nigerian Breweries, “the house of quality” has delivered on yet another promise to delight consumers with the introduction of Ace Desire.

    “The brand’s ambition is to lead in the RTD category by establishing itself as the relentless pioneer of innovation”, Maggi said, while also promising that the product will be available in outlets across the country over the next few weeks.

    Maggi said the extensions of the Ace brand have been informed by the need to satisfy various consumer taste profiles that evolve and change over time.

    The firm’s Corporate Communication and Brand Public Relations Manager, Patrick Olowokere, said the drink is not to be consumed by expectant mothers or underage.

    “Zobo (Zoborodo) is a beverage made from dried Roselle plant flowers. It is also known as Roselle drink and called Sorrel drink in the Carribean.

    ‘’Zobo is not recommended for pregnant women in their first trimester or those who are undergoing fertility treatments. This is because it can lower levels of oestrogen in the body and can prompt menstruation which could ultimately lead to a miscarriage.

  • He’s an alcoholic, says wife of husband

    A 33-year-old woman, Taiwo Fadugba, has sought the dissolution of her eight-year-old marriage to her husband, Tope, at a Lagos Island Customary Court.

    She is accusing him of avoiding his responsibilities as a father.

    The petitioner, who lives at Vincent Street, Lagos Island, said since they got married, he never contributed to the upkeep of the home.

    “Few months after we got married, my husband travelled out of the country spending four years without getting in touch with me. I was shocked to see him again after four years saying he was deported. I was confused because after he travelled, I had a child for another man who stood by me when I was lonely,” Mrs Fadugba said.

    She said she had to accept him because there was no disagreement before he left.

    Mrs Fadugba said: “I rented a shop for him with N50, 000 to start a business because he didn’t come back with a dime. I pleaded with some of my customers to give him goods on credit which they did but my husband is yet to refund.”

    The petitioner said out of their N750, 000 house rent, her husband gave her only N45, 000.

    “I thought he was going to be a God-fearing man because I met him in a church. But, since his return, he has been worse. At times, I regret having children for him because he is irresponsible. He spends his money on alcoholic drinks,” she said.

    She said since she came to court, he has been coming home to beat her and steal her jewellery, adding that his siblings have not tried to solve the problems.

    Mrs Fadugba said the only thing she wants from him is to take responsibility of their two children, who are between the ages of two and three.

    The respondent, Mr Fadugba, was remanded for misconduct in court.

    The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, ordered the petitioner to be peaceful and adjourned the case till May 5 for further hearing.

  • Alcoholic drink launched

    An alcoholic drink, Bacardi Breezer, has been launched.

    It was unveiled at The Oriental Hotel, Lagos, where famous faces, including Sean Tizzle, Yemi Alade and Seyi Shay, were on the colourful carpet to celebrate its arrival.

    The Brand Manager, Olugbe-nga Lawrence, said: “We are thrilled that we can announce that Breezer has landed in Nigeria. Breezer is the perfect drink for all free spirited Nigerians who want to enjoy the colourful side of life.

    “Breezer is designed for free spirited Nigerians who enjoy the colourful side of life.  It is already enjoyed in over 150 countries and we are excited to launch it in Africa’s most colourful country.  Breezer lives life in colour – and we’re asking Nigerians to show us their passion for life, show us their true colours!”

    With three brand ambassadors, Sean Tizzle, Seyi Shay and Yemi Alade, the Breezer has been described after a taste of experience as a delicious drink which will be activated with some brand activities over the next few months.

    Breezer is available in a ready to drink 330ml bottle and is a refreshing blend of Bacardi Rum and fruit flavour in three delicious varieties – Orange, Pineapple and Watermelon RRP N170.