The Nation Newspaper

Tag: fake

  • Checking the menace of fake electrical products

    Checking the menace of fake electrical products

    Despite their risk, fake electrical products abound in the country. They are the causes of many fires in which scores were killed and properties destroyed. ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI examines why their importation is on the rise.

    Richard Adekunle, a business executive working in a new advertising

    agency got his ideal job effortlessly. Fresh from the university, he was placed on a yearly salary of N1.2 million. After receiving his first salary, Adekunle got an apartment close to his work place to save transport cost. He also bought some electrical appliances from the Alaba International Market where such items are cheap.

    He bought electrical fittings, a toast machine, an electric kettle, a table freezer, all for N20,000. He saved about N30,000 on his purchases. Excited with starting life on a good note, Adekunle called his technician to fix the cables, sockets and other electrical gadgets and asked his fiancé to put the kitchen electrical appliances in order.

    Ten days after he fitted his electrical appliances, they suddenly packed up. After an assessment, his technician discovered that the power cable transporting currents to the electrical appliances had melted while the appliances too could not withstand the voltage being transported. The technician told Adekunle that his electrical appliances are fake, adding that he was lucky to have escaped electrocution.

    But Francis Emenike’s family was not so lucky. The price he paid for using counterfeit electrical cable were the lives of his two sons!

    As he and his wife, Adauma made for the children’s room, they found it engulfed in thick smoke, the couple forced their way into the room to rescue the children. Two of the children had been choked to death while their little boy, Eze, survived.

    Emenike’s family was a victim of counterfeit electrical fittings. The family while building its house patronised a technician who uses counterfeit electrical materials in order to maximise his gains. All the cables, which passed through the roof from the outer electrical poles source, were found to be fake. Since the cable could not withstand heat, it caught fire.

    Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Joseph Odumodu notes Nigerians’ penchant for fake products, citing his experience in a popular electrical and electronics market in Lagos.

    “I went to Alaba International Market and I saw an old woman trying to buy an electrical appliance. I saw what she was buying and I told her that the product was counterfeit. She said my son, this is what I can afford and I said, madam if you get home and it burns your house, what will you do? She said God will not allow it to happen.”

    Beyond Nigeria, counterfeit electrical materials are wreaking havoc in many households. In 2007, the global media reported that a seven-year-old boy was electrocuted by a fake Nintendo Game Boy charger his family bought in Thailand. Later examination of the charger showed that the gap between the primary and secondary circuits was only 1mm instead of the 4.6mm recommended by European Union standards. The implication is that the touchable charging pins of the device could become live. The incident prompted a United Kingdom (UK) Trading Standards Institute investigation that led to a Europe-wide recall of dangerous chargers and adaptors, but six years on, sub-standard and counterfeit chargers are still on sale.

    According to UK-based Plugsafe, a voluntary group of electrical engineers, as major retailers are selling illegal chargers in the UK. Senior electrical engineer at South Africa-based CBI Electric, Dr Michael Grant, says counterfeit goods may look the same, but they don’t perform in the same way.

    “The reproduction (of our circuit breakers) is visually similar, but there is no quality reproduction whatsoever,” he says. “The counterfeit versions offer no form of safety at all, and pose a direct risk to the installation.” Indeed, when tested against IEC 60947 standards for low voltage switchgear and control-gear, the counterfeit devices fail dismally.

    “The South African government, through its Department of Trade and Industry conducted raids, seized counterfeit goods, and tested them in a laboratory. Even under normal load-conditions the counterfeit products ignited and started to burn,” adds Grant.

    The world is under threat of counterfeit electrical appliances. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) estimates that trademark counterfeiting accounts for about six per cent of world trade estimated to be $350 billion annually. In the mid-year report for 2005, the US Department of Homeland Security (US DHS) reports that customs seized more than $64 million worth of counterfeit products during 3,693 seizures.

    Electrical equipment alone accounted for over $6 million worth. The Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network (CACN) estimates that Canadian market in counterfeits is between $20 and $30 billion yearly.

    In Nigeria, the situation has not fared better. Odumodu said last year, consumers spent over N500 million on sub-standard electric bulbs. Also, to cut the distribution of sub-standard electric cables, he said SON also seized over N450 million counterfeit electric cables at the Alaba International Market after an earlier raid of nine truckloads of substandard electric cables worth over N200 million.

    Also, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in Southsouth Nigeria has impounded over 100 sub-standard cable wiring products valued at N5 million from markets and distributors in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    With majority of the cables coming from Asia, especially China, according to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), it is estimated that about $125 billion is lost in tax revenue and additional welfare spending in developed countries alone while about 2.5 million jobs have been lost. However, Alaba Market, Port Harcourt and the porous borders are cited as the gateway through which counterfeiters enter the market.

    An electric cable manufacturing company, Nigerchin Electrical Development Company Limited, recently alerted the CPC to the entry of counterfeit electrical products through Port Harcourt and Alaba International Market. But the Chairman, General Electrical Dealers Association, Chief Uche Igwe denied the accusation, saying there are no factories in Alaba where counterfeit electrical products are produced.

    “That is an erroneous notion. Alaba is not a market for counterfeit. There are no factories in Alaba. Is it Alaba traders that bring those counterfeit through the border to Nigeria? How can you crucify a trader who bought goods he wants to sell and does not know whether it is a pirated product or not? Who are those people loading and bringing the containers from the borders? I think the blame for the influx should go to the government,” he said.

    The porous borders and ports provide perfect grounds for dumping of counterfeit products. Investigation reveals that the Customs and SON hardly collaborate to stem the tide. A Customs official at Apapa, Lagos who does not want to be named, told The Nation that the job of Customs is to ensure that the products being shipped into the country are not illegal and not to subject them to quality test.

    Notable electrical product supply chains, such as Leventis, Kingsway, among others, have folded up because of the influx of counterfeits. Sharp brand has suffered the worst blow in the last two decades too. The company, which produces electrical and electronic appliances while trying to consolidate its market presence in partnership with Dajcom Limited, affirmed that the brand lost its market leadership when consumers’ confidence waned following the faking of its electrical and electronic products.

    The Managing Director of Sharp Middle-East and Dubai, Fumio Yamagudu, told The Nation, that the company is ready to start all over again after two decades of onslaught from counterfeiters. Also, the Managing Director of Dajcom, Mr. David Safa, said in the last two decades, there were many fake Sharp products at Alaba International Market, which he regarded as the biggest home to electrical products in West Africa.

    With strategic alliance between Sharp and Dajcom, he believes that it will be difficult to counterfeit the Sharp brands as they are ready to assemble the product in Nigeria at a competitive price while the opening of shops across the country will make patronage of counterfeit meaningless to consumers.

    To restore confidence, Odumodu said SON is beginning to uncover more than it used to, since the agency began to inspect the warehouses of importers. “We have also noticed that some warehouses are being relocated to more remote areas to avoid our inspections,” he said.

    He assured Nigerians that those who specialise in the importation of sub-standard products won’t escape no matter how hard they try. He advised importers to buy only products that are safe for use.

    “This issue of sub-standard product is a Nigerian issue, not just mine or SON’s but everyone is involved. It is a very sorry story when you go over to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and discover that over 60 per cent of companies on its lists have closed down because of this menace. Those who bring in these substandard products are promoting unemployment and insecurity, which is indirectly fuelling terrorism. The more people speak up, the cleaner Nigeria will be for all of us,” he said.

    Counterfeit cables worth over N2.2 billion have been destroyed by SON, while 50 companies have been sealed off. But the consumers face enormorous challenges, including poverty and unequal income even within the same social bracket.

    Many of the consumers spoken to expressed their preference for the cheaper counterfeited products because they are within their income range. The question regulatory agencies are asking is: Is the price worth the risk to consumers’ life? A sales representative at a Quick Service Restaurant in Lagos, Gbenga Durojaiye, affirmed that his purchasing decision is based on his income. Veronica Nonzo said despite being able to afford original products, she still believes the spec for the market is still low compared to used imported electrical products from Europe and America.

    “The used imported ones, which are manufactured to standard specification in the UK, US and other developed countries are better option for me. I have the money to buy original ones coming to Nigeria, but I normally go for the used imported ones because they last longer,” she said.

    An electrical technician in Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, Tunde Oluwole said most of his customers often complain of cash constraint compelling him to buy whatever their money can afford. He stressed that used imported ones seem more reliable than new ones. This reasoning may be strange, but it is a generally accepted standard in the country.

     

  • Police uncover fake university hospital in Imo

    A fake doctor and suspected leader of a gang, which specialises in extorting money from candidates seeking admission into higher institutions, has been arrested by the police in Imo State.

    Fidelis Chukwujindu of Umudumabiakam Ogboko in Ideato Local Government Area was arrested while conducting entrance examination for 576 victims, who reportedly purchased the admission forms at N8,000 each.

    Chukwujindu, who was later discovered to be a native doctor, posed as a medical doctor. He was arrested on the premises of the college hospital, which has the sign post: “University College Hospital, Ogboko, Ideato, P.O. Box 1960 Orlu, Imo State”.

    Parading the suspect with his victims, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Musa Katsina, said the gang strategically selected the site opposite the State University, Ogboko, which is adjacent to the Rochas Foundation College, to convince their victims of the genuineness of their business.

    “This is a primitive catalogue of illegality by a self-acclaimed medical doctor, who paraded himself as a graduate of Harvard University.

    “But he’s just a native doctor. More than 5,000 people have been swindled by this man.”

    Katsina said the suspect and his cohorts, including a deaf and dumb woman, Mrs. Ngozi Anyaoha, who was introduced as the dean of the college, were arrested by the a squad attached to the command, following a tip-off.

    Chukwujindu said the institution, which he claimed was in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), was officially approved by the previous administration.

    He, however, denied using the name of Governor Rochas Okorocha to swindle anybody.

    “This is a college and not a university and as such I did not obtain approval from the NUC and I went to the Ministry of Education, Abuja, where I obtained approval and it is affiliated to the University of London,” he insisted.

  • Bayelsa NUJ ‘arrests’ fake CNN reporter

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bayelsa State yesterday ‘apprehended’ a suspected impostor who was parading himself as a correspondent of the Cable News Network (CNN).

    The 36-year old suspect, identified as Paul Yempe, was handed over to the police.

    The suspect, who was alleged to have hoodwinked unsuspecting government officials, was unmasked by the state Chairman, Tare Akono who reported the matter to the police.

    After claiming that he was working for CNN, the suspect could neither produce an identity card nor any document linking him to the broadcast company.

    He was said to have defrauded a few commissioners. Police spokesman Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident .

  • Odimegwu’s fake census data

    A very revealing but stunning scenario played out last week when officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) met with their counterparts of the National Population Commission, (NPC). INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega had asked NPC chairman, Eze Festus Odimegwu to officially release to him some certified data from the commission to aid them in the planned constituency delimitation exercise. But he must have got the shocker of his life, when he was told that, the NPC had no officially certified data for all the localities in the country as some of the enumeration areas do not exist in reality.

    Hear Odimegwu: “The enumeration centers we have, some of them do not exist in reality, some politicians bought them the way you will want to register voters and some people will buy voters’ cards in order to have an advantage”

    According to the NPC chairman, these people bought the enumeration areas and raised the number from about “250 to 500 and if you later count and discover that the population is 10, they will say no, but we gave you 500, you have to raise it to that number we gave you”.

    These disclosures are not only weighty but very revealing and sensitive. They are no doubt, at the root of the high wire controversy that trailed our past attempts at national head count. In the past 30 years or so, all the censuses held in this country were embroiled in intense controversy as the various sections of the country fiercely disputed their outcome. The two last ones held in 1991 and 2006 were no less contentious. But while that of 1991 posted a figure of 88.9 million people with a projected growth rate of 2.9 per cent, the 2006 census came out with a figure of 140 million people.

    Even before the 2006 headcount, intense bickering arose regarding the proposal to include the twin issues of ethnicity and religion in the questionnaires that will form part of the data to be furnished by individuals. The whole idea was to generate the statistics of the various ethnic and religious groups in this country given claims and counter claims regarding their relative strengths. And for a country that is still grappling with debilitating problems of development, the availability of these data will no doubt be of veritable aid for planning purposes. Despite the obvious benefits from these vital statistics, their inclusion was still highly disputed. The North threatened to mobilize its people to work against the exercise should these two indices appear in the questionnaire. There was equally a counter threat from the South-east to boycott the exercise if they were not included.

    And when eventually the NPC did not include them, some groups moved round the South-east campaigning against the headcount. This in part, accounted for the poor posting of that zone to the overall population figure. There was also the issue of state of origin as against that of domicile. It was vigorously canvassed that given the pattern of migration especially to urban centres in search of greener pastures, there was the need to add up indigenes of states counted outside to the total population of their home states. It was argued that in view of the unresolved issue of residency, states needed to have an idea of their entire population to enable them plan properly since their indigenes will ultimately have to rely for services provided by their home states. This was not adopted.

    However, the headcount went on and posted a figure that has at best, remained a matter of disputation. Its outcome did not depart substantially from the pattern that had characterized previous attempts further fuelling feelings that there is more to these figures than ordinarily meets the eyes. The revelations by Odimegwu only confirms the wildly held view that our previous attempts at reliable head count had along been heavily manipulated to gain advantage and cannot be relied upon. The desperation to falsify population figures should not be surprising given the crucial role vital statistics play not only in national planning but in the sharing of our national resources. Apart from its use as one of the indices for revenue sharing, it also constitutes a key factor in determining representation into the national legislature.

    It was in furtherance of this role that the INEC had to approach the NPC for the release of some certified data to aid it in its planned constituency delimitation exercise only to be told that previous population censuses were heavily compromised. Sadly, it is the same manipulated data that has been used to arrive at the subsisting constituencies. It is also the same spurious data that is considered in revenue sharing. We can now better appreciate the fate of sections of this country that have expectedly been short-changed through fake enumeration areas. Ironically, since that very embarrassing disclosure, much attention has not been drawn to that national disgrace such that it may soon be swept under the carpet in the typical Nigerian fashion. But that must not be allowed to happen given the centrality of accurate population data to the good health of any nation. It is good a thing Odimegwu summoned the courage to expose a festering cankerworm that has been at the root of nation’s fictitious census figures. It is also very refreshing that we have now been let into the main source of that fraud. Before now, the major sources of population fraud had largely been in the areas of double counting and counting of people in absentia. It has never been envisaged that politicians bought enumeration areas that never existed in reality and posted results for them. It is a similitude of the writing of election results after elections that have no semblance with the actual number of votes cast at the ballot box. It is fraud of unmitigated proportion that has been allowed to fester for quite some time. Given the way political affairs have been handled in this country, it may not surprise anyone to hazard a guess as to which sections of the country have mostly taken undue advantage of this malfeasance.

    It is thus not sufficient for the NPC chairman to have identified these fraudulent practices. He must proceed beyond these to plug all loopholes that were hitherto exploited by politicians to sabotage the realization of a credible headcount. The heuristic value of his revelations is that we can only rely on existing census figures at a very great risk. He must therefore work very assiduously to give this nation a census that can be relied upon. Thus, the proposed constituency delimitation by the INEC is already encumbered by the very fact that the population data that should aid the exercise cannot be relied upon. Putting it to use in the impending exercise will amount to double jeopardy as it will further perpetuate extant inequities between sections and groups.

    The idea of both commissions working in tandem to produce the digital photography of the country and give us a reliable census by 2016 is most welcome. But the NPC must weed out the bad eggs in its midst that had aided and abetted these high profile fraud. At no time in the life of this country than now is the imperative of a reliable population census more compelling.

    For once, we must ensure that the figures we post bear close semblance with extant facts on the ground. We can no longer afford to manipulate the actual population of this country because of the political advantage higher figures confer on constituent units without subjecting our collective fate to mortal harm. Can Odimegwu do the magic without being frustrated by the powerful forces that sabotaged previous attempts? Only time will tell.

     

  • Rector warns against fake credentials

    Rector warns against fake credentials

    Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Dr Philipa Idogho, has warned students against parading fake credentials.

    Speaking at the 30th matriculation of the institution last weekend, the Rector cautioned the new students that the polytechnic frowns at such practice and also would not hesitate to sanction any students caught in ex-amination malpractices.

    She said the polytechnic has a verification machinery for ensuring that students with fake credentials were detected.

    Idogho said those caught with fake credentials and certificates would be expelled while those caught engaging in examination malpractices would be rusticated.

    “The polytechnic is governed by rules and regulations which you are all expected to be conversant with,” she said.

    She said only 5,951 out of the 26,000 applicants were offered admission in keeping with the carrying capacity of the institution.

    Dr Idogho said the school wanted to ensure conducive learning environment for all students rather than admitting students that would overcrowd its facilities.

    To this end she also disclosed that 132 offices would be commissioned for the use by workers this year.

    She counseled the students to incorporate ICT into their learning in line with global trends.

    “There is need to emphasise that education is now going the way of e-learning. The polytechnic has three e-learning centers, in addition to two units donated by NITDA. As much as we have encouraged staff to be computer literate, it is also necessary that students begin to imbibe the correct use of computers for learning,” she said.

  • Ondo ACN decries ‘injection’ of fake names in voter’s register

    •Group: Mimiko hasn’t fulfilled his promises

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State yesterday expressed surprise at the revelation that over 164,072 strange names were injected into the voter’s register that was used to conduct the October 20, 2012, governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The revelation was made by computer analysts presented to the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, by ACN and its candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Agbede, ACN said the magnitude of the electoral fraud allegedly committed by the Labour Party (LP) with the “help” of INEC shows LP’s desperation to cling to power at all costs.

    It said: “The revelation by expert witnesses that 164,072 names were injected into the voter’s register has finally laid to rest the controversy surrounding how the voter’s registration of 1.5 million people by INEC in 2011 became over 1.6 million people during the October 2012 governorship election.

    “The whole world can now see that the much touted popularity of the LP and its leaders in Ondo is a ruse.”

    Also yesterday, a group, the Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (MGGEL), said the inauguration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko is temporary.

    In a statement by its State Coordinator, Mr. Kehinde Bello, MGGEL urged the Mimiko administration to reflect on its promises in 2009 and see how much it has failed the people.

    It said the governor’s promise to create job opportunities has become a dream.

    MGGEL said even though the administration inherited billions of naira from the Chief Olusegun Agagu administration, it has not executed meaningful projects.

    It said the Arigidi Tomato Paste Industry, Okeluse Cement Factory, the Olokola Free-Trade Zone and multi-billion naira water projects, which could have created jobs for youths, were abandoned.

     

     

  • Fake cement depot closed

    Officials of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have sealed a fake cement depot in Benin.

    The owners were found to be repackaging Dangote Cement at the depot.

    Edo/Delta Coordinator of SON Akogun Ojo, who led the team, was amazed that the operators of the fake depot reopened the place after it was earlier sealed off.

    Ojo said: “We were pre-informed and we went to seal off the makeshift warehouse.

    “We will be happy if people can give us useful information on the activities of these people.”

    He said investigation would determine whether other substances were added to the cement or whether consumers were short-changed by reducing the quantity.

    The SON coordinator said the perpetrators would be prosecuted.

     

  • Ladoja’s popularity is fake, says Oyo ACN

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has said the “purported soaring popularity” of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and Accord in the state is an imagination of its members.

    ACN was reacting to a statement credited to Accord’s Media Director, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, at the weekend.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, ACN said: “It is bad politics for the Accord to feel bad about the patriotic call by some persons for the speedy trial of Ladoja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This call should be encouraged by the Accord, if indeed it is convinced that its leader did not loot the state’s treasury.

    “We congratulate the Accord on the procurement of its most recent liability in the person of Oyelade. Here was a man, who at the dawn of democratic rule in 1999, was a member of the Alliance for Democracy, having worked with former Governor Lam Adesina as his Private Secretary.

    “He worked briefly underground for the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) too at a time. Immediately the Adesina administration was removed, Oyelade jumped ship and became Ladoja’s ally.

    “When Ladoja was impeached, Oyelade suddenly remembered that he attended the same secondary school with Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to wash the dirty linen of his Ogbomoso friend.

    “Immediately his friend was removed from office through popular votes

    in 2011, Oyelade made unsuccessful attempts to partner Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the ACN.

    “When he was rebuffed, he abandoned his friend, Alao-Akala, and returned to his long-abandoned vomit as the Director of Media of Ladoja’s Accord. We wish Accord well in its most recent acquisition.

    “A trip to the red light district of Asas in Molete, Ibadan, could not have earned Accord a better prostitute. Talk about a jaundiced message from the mouth of a discredited messenger.

    “The Ajimobi administration remains the potent weapon of re-orientating Oyo State politics from the Ladoja/Akala Amala politics, where the pockets of their cronies mattered more than the people’s welfare. We cannot blame the two leaders, because no one can give what he does not have.

    “In the 17 months of the Ajimobi administration, good governance has been resuscitated in the state. Anyone found guilty of embezzling state fund while in office should be held responsible.

    “The mark of good governance is honour. This has been exemplified by Ajimobi’s honouring of his political promises to Ladoja. This is what good governance entails. This was lacking in Ladoja and Akala’s administrations, where survival of the fittest and the elimination of the weakest reigned supreme. Ajimobi is a man of peace and honour. If the most recent Ladoja henchman does not know the definition of honour, then it is too bad.”

  • NAFDAC seals off pharmacy over fake drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off Anyiwest Pharmacy at 1, Meiran Road, Ojokoro, a Lagos suburb. The manager was arrested for stocking and dispensing contraband and expired drugs.

    In a statement yesterday, its public relations officer, Anslem Okonkwor said NAFDAC took the action following a petition by some people against the pharmacy. He said upon investigation, it was discovered that the pharmacy stocked Analgin and Tagaprox injections, which have been banned, and Ferotone and Flu capsules, which have expired.

    According to the Director of Enforcement, Mr. Garba MacDonald, the Agency’s officials acted to prevent the pharmacy from further endangering people’s lives through its unwholesome activities. He said there was no premises registration certificate at the pharmacy as stipulated by law, casting a doubt on its current registration status with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN).

    MacDonald said the pharmacy did not only violate NAFDAC’s regulations but also engaged in professional misconduct. The outfit, he said, would remain shut and the products in stock subjected to further screening.