Police intelligence operatives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department ( FCID) Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, have uncovered and arrested a trader at the popular ASPAMDA International Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, one Ezeabasili Ikechukwu Kelvin, for allegedly producing adulterated Hardex Engine Oil inside the Trade Fair Complex.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Kelvin, has been arraigned before the Yaba Chief Magistrate Court, on allegations of conspiracy and adulteration of engine oil over his alleged conduct.
The prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, a Legal Officer at FCID, alleged that the defendant and others now at large allegedly committed the offences sometime in May 2025.
The prosecutor, Animashaun, told the Court that the defendant while working at Lawmaco Interbiz Limited, adulterated and produced an engine oil product named Hardex Engine Oil, which was substandard, noxious, dangerous and unfit for use.
He also told the Court that the defendant’s acts contravened Sections 411 and 160(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Cap. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
However, the defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty before the Court.
The prosecutor urged the Court to remand him in custody at the Correctional Services facility pending trial. But counsel to the defendant, S. A. Adewale, moved his client’s bail application and urged the Court to grant him bail in the most liberal terms.
The prosecutor opposed the counsel’s request and prayed the court to make the bail terms such that will ensure the defendant’s presence in court until the matter is disposed off.
The Presiding Magistrate, A. I. O. Alaka, in his ruling after listening to the submissions of parties, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500, 000. 00, with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The Court further ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, with evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government, adding that the sureties addresses must be verified by the prosecutor.
The matter was adjourned till 17th December, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The charge read: “That you, Ezeabasili Ikechukwu Kelvin ‘M’, and others (now at large) sometime in May, 2025, at Lawmaco Interbiz Limited, located at ASPAMDA International Market, Trade Fair Complex, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire with others now at large to commit a felony, to wit: adulteration of Hardex Engine Oil, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Cap. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”