BUSINESS
Why We Used Fake Gucci, Nike Labels To Sell More Shoes, Ogun Factory Suspects Tell Police
Suspects arrested over the alleged production of counterfeit footwear at a factory in Makun, Sagamu, Ogun State, have admitted that using imitation foreign brand names helped the company attract more customers and generate higher sales.
The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday following investigations into the activities of Meibalun International Nigeria Limited, which allegedly manufactured and marketed footwear bearing the trademarks of international brands without authorisation.
The suspects were identified as Ojeleye Esther, Olulenu Adebola, Adewunmi Titilayo and two Chinese nationals, Zhu Hai Chen and Zhou Hai Fen.
According to the police, the company presented itself as a manufacturer of Nigerian-made footwear but allegedly produced shoes bearing the names and trademarks of international brands, including Gucci, Nike, Timberland, Louis Vuitton and Adidas.
The statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, said further investigations by the unit’s Stock Capital Market Fraud Section uncovered questionable financial transactions within the company’s operations.
The police alleged that payments made by customers were diverted into private bank accounts instead of the company’s designated corporate account.
This, it said, prompted investigators to trace the ownership, movement and utilisation of the funds.
The statement read, “Further investigation by the Stock Capital Market Fraud Section of the Unit revealed questionable financial practices within the company’s operations, as payments from customers were laundered into private bank accounts rather than the company’s designated corporate account, which prompted further financial tracing to establish the ownership, movement and utilisation of the proceeds of crime.
“The suspects admitted that the use of imitated foreign brand names generated greater sales and market patronage for the company than products marketed under Nigerian-made branding.
“This admission further strengthened the investigative direction of the Unit and underscored the need to examine the commercial and financial structures sustaining the operation.”
The Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, said the unit’s responsibility to combat financial crimes extended beyond conventional banking and investment fraud to include commercial activities capable of undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s financial and business environment.
He assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and in line with due process, stressing that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
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