Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced two men to a total of 40 years imprisonment for producing and selling counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including fake Hennessy and Jameson Irish Whiskey.
The convicts, Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono, 58, described as a producer of fake wines and spirits, and 28-year-old Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, said to be a distributor of the adulterated drinks, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment on eight counts bordering on conspiracy and production of unwholesome processed drinks.
The judge held that the sentences would run concurrently.
It would be recalled that the duo had pleaded guilty to the charges filed against them.
Following their plea, the counsel for the prosecution, B. Simon, presented his case and called Mr Odesola Akinwale, an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who detailed how the suspects were apprehended.
According to the prosecution, the men were arrested on December 3, 2025, after intelligence reports revealed they were involved in counterfeiting popular foreign alcoholic brands.
The fake products allegedly included Hennessy V.S.O.P., Hennessy Very Special, Jameson Irish Whiskey, William Lawson's Blended Scotch Whisky and Gordon's Dry Gin, among other assorted drinks.
The court heard that the convicts were arrested at their residences in Ijanikin, Lagos, where large quantities of counterfeit drinks, empty bottles, labels and corks were recovered.
The offences were said to contravene provisions of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the Food and Drugs Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
During sentencing, defence counsel, Ugochukwu Jonathan, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the defendants were first-time offenders who had admitted guilt and promised to turn a new leaf.
In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa condemned the health risks posed by the circulation of adulterated alcoholic drinks, observing that such products could cause severe damage to consumers’ kidneys and livers.
While acknowledging the plea for leniency, the court imposed five years imprisonment on each of the eight counts, amounting to 40 years in total.
In the alternative, each convict was ordered to pay a fine of ₦10 million per count.
The court reaffirmed that the sentences would run concurrently.
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