Two in court for alleged sale of fake hair extensions

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has arraigned two businessmen, Afam Ike and Steve Onyechi, before the Federal High Court in Lagos, for allegedly packaging and selling counterfeit X-Pression hair extensions/attachments.

The duo was arraigned on three counts bordering on conspiracy, repackaging, dealing in, and possessing counterfeit hair products, preferred against them by SON.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Yusuf Lawan, told the court that the defendants, who are traders at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, were arrested with a fake ‘Rich Braid’ brand of X-Pression products on December 2, 2022.

Yusuf, an Assistant Chief State Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, alleged that Ike and Onyechi imprinted a false X-Pression (Rich Braid) trademark on the counterfeit extensions. He said the aim was to deceive buyers into believing that the products were genuine attachments.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004, and Section 1(18)(a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004.

The prosecution said Ike and Onyechi also violated Sections 3(1)(b), 3(2), and 1(1)(a) of the Trade Malpractices (Miscellaneous Offences) Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 1(1)(h).

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Consequently, Justice Friday Ogazi granted them bail in the sum of N1.5m each, with two sureties each in like sum, who must be senior civil servants or landowners.

The case was adjourned till July 3, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.