The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Bauchi State reported the arrest of a suspected producer of fake Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium fertilizer in Chinade town, Katagum Local Government Area.
During a market day at Chinade market, the operation team apprehended the suspect and seized around 150 bags of counterfeit fertilizer from his shop.
The SON North East Zonal Coordinator, Adamu Abba, disclosed that the suspect was caught producing the fake Golden Fertilizer using sacks from four different fertilizer products, namely Mai Rago, Freedom, Boko, and Indoorama.
He was attempting to re-bag the counterfeit product into Golden fertilizer bags, intending to deceive innocent consumers by selling it as the genuine product. The recovered bags of the counterfeit fertilizer served as evidence of his illegal activities.
He said: “During the operation, we were able to confiscate over 150 bags of counterfeit Golden fertilizer already made at the site. We closed down the place and got him arrested without any resistance from both the producer and the community.”
Sa’ad mentioned that after concluding investigations, the suspect, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed-Chanade, would be charged to court for prosecution under Section (26) in connection with the standards of the amended SON Act of 2015.
In his statement to journalists, the suspect confessed that his motivation for committing the crime was driven by a desire to make quick money. However, regardless of his explanation, he will likely face legal consequences for his involvement in the production and sale of counterfeit fertilizer.
“I was ignorant of the existing laws on standardisation. Secondly, I wanted to make quick money since there is a high demand in the market for the Golden Fertilizer by farmers.
“I’m appealing to them (SON) to temper justice with mercy on me because this is the first time I am making this mistake,” he claimed.
