Federal High Court Umuahia Jails Chikason MD Innocent Okoye for Five Years Over Counterfeit Goya Olive Oil, Offers ₦5m Fine Option
The Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, has sentenced Innocent Okoye, Managing Director of Chikason Industrial Nigeria Limited, to five years’ imprisonment for producing counterfeit Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with an option of a ₦5 million fine.
The judgment, delivered by Justice K. O. Ogundare on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, followed a prosecution by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Okoye was convicted on two counts relating to the manufacture and sale of counterfeit olive oil.
The conviction followed an investigation launched after a NAFDAC enforcement operation in April 2026. Officials reportedly uncovered a facility in Aba allegedly used to manufacture and distribute the imitation product. Samples recovered during the operation were sent to the agency’s laboratory for analysis, and the subsequent findings formed part of the case that led to the conviction.
The sentence places the case among the enforcement actions targeting counterfeit food products in Nigeria. The fine option gives the convicted businessman an alternative to imprisonment under the sentence imposed by the court, while the five-year custodial term demonstrates the potential criminal consequences of manufacturing and selling falsified products.
The case also highlights the public health implications of counterfeit food products. Unlike ordinary commercial disputes, the manufacture and sale of imitation edible oils can leave consumers unaware of what they are buying, including the ingredients used, the conditions under which the product was prepared and whether it meets applicable safety standards. NAFDAC warned that counterfeit oils may contain undeclared substances or contaminants.
The conviction comes amid earlier warnings by the agency about fake Goya oil circulating in Nigerian markets. In January 2026, NAFDAC raised concerns about imitation products packaged in plastic bottles and sold as genuine imported olive oil.
At the time, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, explained that genuine Goya oil authorised for sale in Nigeria came in its original glass bottles. NAFDAC also reported uncovering an operation in Lagos where palm oil was allegedly processed with colouring agents and repackaged as Goya oil.
For consumers, the development is a reminder that familiar brand names and convincing packaging are not, by themselves, proof of authenticity. Purchasing from reputable retailers, checking packaging and reporting suspicious products can help reduce exposure to counterfeit goods.
The case also underscores the importance of enforcement throughout the supply chain. While removing counterfeit products from shops can limit their immediate availability, identifying and prosecuting those responsible for manufacturing them can help disrupt the source of the problem.
For businesses, the consequences extend beyond the immediate criminal proceedings. Counterfeiting can undermine consumer confidence, damage legitimate brands and expose those responsible to regulatory action and criminal prosecution. The judgment reinforces the need for manufacturers and distributors to ensure that products entering the market are genuine and comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
NAFDAC has reiterated its commitment to market surveillance, laboratory testing and prosecution of offenders involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and substandard products. The effectiveness of these measures will depend not only on convictions but also on sustained monitoring to prevent imitation products from returning to the market.
