“Court Convicts Chikason Industrial MD Over Counterfeit Goya Oil” — Imposes Five-Year Prison Sentence With ₦5m Fine Option

The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, has sentenced an Aba-based businessman, Innocent Okoye, to five years’ imprisonment for producing counterfeit Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Justice K. O. Ogundare delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after finding Okoye guilty on two counts brought against him by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The court sentenced the convict to five years’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦5 million fine.

Okoye, who is the Managing Director of Chikason Industrial Nigeria Limited, Aba, was prosecuted following an investigation by NAFDAC into the illegal production of imitation Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a product widely used in Nigeria.

NAFDAC disclosed the conviction in information made available to journalists on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

According to the agency, the prosecution followed an enforcement operation conducted in April 2026 by its Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, during which officials uncovered an illegal production facility in Aba allegedly being used to manufacture counterfeit olive oil.

During the operation, NAFDAC officials arrested Okoye and recovered samples of products suspected to be counterfeit Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The recovered samples were subsequently forwarded to the agency’s laboratory for scientific analysis to determine their authenticity and compliance with applicable regulatory standards.

Following laboratory confirmation that the products were counterfeit, NAFDAC instituted criminal proceedings against Okoye before the Federal High Court in Umuahia.

After hearing the case, Justice Ogundare found the defendant guilty on the two counts and imposed the five-year custodial sentence, with an option of a ₦5 million fine.

Reacting to the judgment, NAFDAC stated that the conviction demonstrated its determination to prosecute individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit food products that pose risks to public health.

The agency warned that food counterfeiting not only violates established product standards but also exposes unsuspecting consumers to potentially harmful substances.

It explained that counterfeit edible oils may contain undeclared ingredients and could be manufactured under unhygienic conditions, thereby increasing the risk of contamination.

NAFDAC further warned that regular consumption or application of such products to the skin could expose users to harmful contaminants and other health risks.

The conviction comes amid repeated warnings by the agency over the circulation of counterfeit Goya oil in Nigerian markets.

In January 2026, NAFDAC raised concerns about fake Goya oil packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles.

The agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, explained at the time that authentic Goya oil was imported in glass bottles.

Iluyomade also disclosed that some operators at Oke-Arin Market, Idumota, Lagos, were allegedly processing palm oil with colouring agents and presenting the resulting products as Goya oil.

The agency consequently urged consumers, traders and religious organisations to exercise caution when purchasing olive oil and other regulated products, particularly by paying attention to their sources and packaging.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to protecting public health through sustained market surveillance, laboratory investigations, enforcement operations and the prosecution of offenders involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit products.

The agency was established under Decree No. 15 of 1993, as amended by Decree No. 19 of 1999, and is currently governed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act, Cap. N1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Its statutory responsibilities include regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, chemicals and detergents.

The agency maintains that effective regulation and enforcement are essential to ensuring that products manufactured, imported, distributed and sold in Nigeria meet applicable safety and quality standards.

Post Title: “Court Convicts Chikason Industrial MD Over Counterfeit Goya Oil” — Imposes Five-Year Prison Sentence With ₦5m Fine Option By Papers Nigeria.