Fake Brake Oil Producers Nabbed

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The police at the Trade Fair Complex Division, Ojo, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have arrested two suspected fake brake lubricant producers alleged to have flooded the Nigerian market with fake break oil  and lubricant and in the process, endangering the lives of motorists and commuters.

A police source identified the suspects as Joseph Wanwuo, 33, the alleged ring leader who resides at 103 Uzo Street, Ajegunle, Lagos State with his wife and four children. His partner in crime was identified as Sunday Peter, 43, who resides at 19, Ogboye Close, Afromedia, Okokomaiko, Ojo, Lagos.

P.M.NEWS gathered that nemesis caught up with the suspects when the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Trade Fair Complex Police Division, SP Robinson Eregare and his team raided the suspects hideout at the Auto Parts Market at the Trade Fair Complex following a tip-off.

Items recovered from the suspects include 172 filled fake cans of Auto Shell Oil and 17 empty cans, 67 pieces of cover caps, 21 pieces of fake allied brake fluid cans, 20 pieces of castle fluids, four pieces of fake filled Abro and Polygard brake oil, 47 Welber filled oil cans, two jerry cans of groundnut oil and a bowl for mixing the products and five colourant cans.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to producing fake brake oil and selling them to unsuspecting members of the public at cheaper rate.

In his confessional statement to the police, Joseph allegedly stated that they have been in the business for the past five years and were always smiling to the bank.

He revealed that they mixed spirits with groundnut oil and colourant to form their brake oil in an original brake oil cans.

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“We knew what we were doing was wrong, but greed would not permit us to stop the act,” he said.

When P.M.NEWS contacted the DPO in charge of Trade Fair Complex Division, he was said to have gone to the state Police Command, Ikeja for a meeting.

A senior police source confirmed the incident, saying that after preliminary investigation, the suspects were transfered to the SCID, Panti, Yaba, for further investigation.

At completion of investigation, they were charged before an Ojo Magistrate’s Court on a seven-count charge of felony to wit, product adulteration.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate Mrs. Omasula admitted them on bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum who must show proof of tax payment to Lagos State government.

He adjourned the matter till 19 October, this year.

—Paul Iyoghojie

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