MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 65-year-old man, Justus Opara, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magisterial District over alleged adulteration and production of fake alcoholic drinks at PenCinema, Agege area of Lagos.
According to the charge sheet sighted by
http://pmexpressng.com, the defendant was charged alongside others at large in connection with an incident dated 9th May, 2026.
The charge sheet marked with case details indicated that the matter was filed by the Commissioner of Police against Justus Opara ‘m’ aged 65 years before the court in Ikeja Magisterial District.
Count 1 on the charge sheet alleged that the defendant and others at large on or before the 9th day of May, 2026 at No. 27, Mosalashi Alaja Road, PenCinema Agege, Lagos, conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit adulteration of products.
The offence in Count 1 was said to be punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015, according to the document.
Count II of the charge sheet alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant and others now at large unlawfully produced and sold adulterated Hennessy bottle alcoholic drinks, property of J.A. Hennessy and Co.
Count III alleged unlawful production and sale of adulterated Chelsea and Eagle bottle alcoholic drinks, property of Intercontinental Distillers Limited, while Count IV cited adulterated Best bottle alcoholic drinks, property of Nigerbev Limited.
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The charge sheet further alleged in Counts V to X that the defendant and others at large produced and sold fake Imperial Blue, Gordon, Smirnoff, Lord’s, Sinio Klass, Jack Williams, and Makossa Blended Gin bottles belonging to Pernod Ricard, Guinness Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Distillers Limited, Cybless Global Resources, Jack William Distillers, and Conglome Industries Ltd respectively.
All the offences in Counts II to X were said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 160 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015, the document stated.
Count XI of the charge sheet alleged that the defendant and others now at large unlawfully had in their possession illegal adulterated drinks production materials including bottles, labels, keg, nylon, cartoon, cylinder gas and several others for the production of adulterated drinks knowing same to be unfit for human consumption.
The act in Count XI was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 166 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015, according to the charge sheet.
The Investigating Police Officer handling the case was listed as Inspector Thomas Omebo of Area ‘G’ Command as contained in the document.
Legal experts say Section 160 of Lagos Criminal Law covers adulteration of food, drink, or medicine, while Section 166 deals with possession of materials for producing harmful substances unfit for consumption. Under Lagos State law, such offences are treated as serious criminal matters due to public health and safety risks.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty during arraignment.
The Prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, asked the Court for a date for hearing to enable the Police to provide evidence, court proceedings showed.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses are verified by the Court.
The defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions while the case was adjourned for hearing.