Two businessmen based on Lagos Island, Ikenna Ibezim, 24, and Ifeanyi Okezie, 20, have been arrested for allegedly operating an illegal scheme to adulterate products of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited.

The arrests, made by operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, followed a formal complaint by the management of Coleman, who had earlier raised alarm over the growing menace of product adulteration in the industry.

Speaking at the company’s inaugural Stakeholders Engagement with Distributors, Managing Director Mr. George Onafowokan described the fight against product adulteration as Coleman’s top priority for 2025. He called on distributors to work closely with the company to preserve product integrity and ensure that only genuine Coleman cables reach the market.

According to police investigations, the suspects were allegedly behind a large-scale counterfeit operation that flooded the market with substandard cables falsely branded as Coleman products. The scheme, authorities say, not only misled unsuspecting customers but also posed serious safety risks and damaged the brand’s reputation.

The operation was uncovered on March 19, 2025, after Coleman representatives reported the fraudulent activities to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Adegoke Fayoade.

Acting on his directive, a police task force raided the suspects’ operational bases at 29 Idolowo Market and 4 Sagbemi Street, Lagos Island, leading to their arrest.

The suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and product adulteration, contrary to Sections 411 and 160(a) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Though Ibezim and Okezie pleaded not guilty, the court ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions. The case has been adjourned for further hearing.

Commending the swift response of law enforcement, Mr. Onafowokan praised AIG Fayoade and the Inspector General of Police for their commitment to protecting Nigerian businesses from criminal elements who seek to profit from counterfeit operations at the expense of public safety and corporate reputation.

The Coleman management urged the public to report any suspicious activity or suspected fraud to the nearest police station, adding that a collective effort is needed to combat the spread of counterfeit products and protect the economy.