The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, has uncovered an alleged counterfeit shoe manufacturing factory in Sagamu, Ogun State, and arrested five suspects, including two Chinese nationals.
The suspects were reportedly linked to the operations of Meibalun International Nigeria Ltd, a company accused of producing and selling footwear bearing the trademarks of popular international brands without authorisation.
The PSFU spokesperson, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.
He explained that the discovery followed an investigation into the company’s activities after it allegedly presented itself as a manufacturer of locally made footwear.
However, investigators reportedly discovered that the company was producing and marketing shoes carrying the names and trademarks of foreign brands without permission from their owners.
Inside Ogun state:
Gunmen Abduct 10 Passengers On Ogun Highway, Demand N25m Ransom
Government Explains Why Corps Members Slept On Bare Floor In Ogun
Five Killed As Armed Youths Allegedly Invade Sogunro Community In Lagos
Some of the affected brands include Gucci, Nike, Timberland, Louis Vuitton and Adidas.
Ewhubare further revealed that investigations by the unit’s Stock Capital Market Fraud Section uncovered suspicious financial transactions connected to the company’s operations.
According to him, payments made by customers were allegedly transferred into private bank accounts rather than the company’s official corporate account.
He said investigators subsequently began tracing the ownership, movement and use of funds generated through the alleged illegal activities.
The spokesperson added that the suspects reportedly admitted during interrogation that using popular foreign brand names attracted more customers and generated higher sales than marketing the footwear as Nigerian-made products.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Eloho Okpoziakpo, reiterated the unit’s commitment to tackling financial crimes and other offences capable of damaging businesses, economic stability and intellectual property rights.
He assured the public that the investigation would be handled professionally and in line with the law.
Ewhubare added that everyone found responsible for the alleged offences would be brought to justice.
About the Author
