As the war against fake and substandard product intensifies in Nigeria, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has revealed that the Agency has secured over 150 court orders to confiscate fake and substandard goods in the last four years.
While presenting a paper at a workshop in Abuja on Thursday, SON Director of Legal Services, Barr Umaru Kawu revealed that the Organization has successfully defended 99 percent of its court cases in the fight against substandard products in the country.
He stated that SON Act No. 14, 2015 which repealed the Standards Organization of Nigeria Act, Cap s9 2004 was for the purpose of providing additional functionality for the Organization as well as increasing penalty for violators of substandard market.
“Punishment for violation can be a jail term from 1 to 3 years depending on the offence and a fine from N1 million to N3 million, this is to discourage people from pushing the fake products into the market.”
The Director explained that the law which is not fully utilized in the country also made provisions for consumer engagement where substandard goods could be replaced, repaired or returned by the consumer.
Kawu stated that the Organization over the years has also secured 12 per cent convictions, 10 per cent plea bargain and 54 per cent forfeiture of substandard products in Nigeria.
“Court cases are very expensive, so in order to save cost, SON in most cases prefers out of court settlement were the substandard goods are confiscated and the offender is put under severance by the Organization” he stated.
He called on all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against fake and substandard products in order to maintain good quality goods in the Nigerian market.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buhari Urges MTN For Quality Service, Downward Price Review In Cost Of Data, Other Services
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers… SON secures over 150 court orders to confiscate fake goods from 2016-2021 | SON secures over 150 court orders to confiscate fake goods from 2016-2021 | SON secures over 150 court orders to confiscate fake goods from 2016-2021 | SON secures over 150 court orders to confiscate fake goods from 2016-2021.
and then