Chief Sam Anyanwutaku, the owner of the Company with the Franchise to import the product, ASCO Nig LTD, had taken 7 traders at Onitsha Main Market to court for importing fake Kiwi shoe products as well as obtained an order of the court to confiscate the products pending the determination of the matter in court.
The Presiding Judge at the Awka Federal High Court, Justice Bature Gafai on the 15th and 18th of Last month, ordered the destruction of the goods by fire after tests by regulatory agencies proved they were fake.
The importers of the fake products had also settled that the goods be destroyed and undertaken that they will never indulge in such sharp practice again.
The destruction exercise was witnessed by parties in the matter, the police and the media.
Speaking during the exercise, the Counsel to the owner of the franchise, Barr Tagbo Anieto said the judgement and the subsequent public destruction of the goods is to serve as a deterrent to others who are into such illegality.
According to him, the war against counterfeit products is one that requires concerted efforts from the government and other stakeholders to win and if left to thrive, counterfeiting is capable of undermining ingenuity, hard work and excellence.
In his reaction, The owner of the franchise to import Kiwi Shoe Polish, Chief Sam Anyanwutaku regretted the huge loss they bear due to the activities of counterfeit syndicates, but said he is committed to sustaining the war against them.
The fake products were moved from the custody of the Federal High Court, Awka to Agu-Awka where they were destroyed.
Our people should learn not to kill ingenuity by promoting counterfeit products.
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