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Man jailed over SON lab test result

Man jailed over SON lab test result

Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced a middle aged man,  Shodipo Olujimi, to one year in prison for forgery.

Olujimi, who owns  a sachet water factory in Ile-Ife was convicted for forging a laboratory result and presented same to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)  to prove that his water was safe for consumption.

The convict was also said to have forged a N25, 000  bank deposit teller, which was the penalty for his failure to submit genuine laboratory test report and  used the same forged teller to obtain  receipt from SON.

Olujimi,  who was arraigned on a two-count charge on May 22, 2018, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Olofindare Adeleke told the court that the convict in July 2014 presented a forged laboratory report on his satchet water with the intent of deceiving SON to approve his satchet water.

Adeleke said after diligent investigations,  the report was found to be forged.

He said the offence was punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Law Cap. 34, Vol. II Laws of Osun State 2003.

Adeleke also said that the convict on February 24, 2015 , forged a N25, 000 Zenith  Bank deposit teller with number 1557310, being  non-compliance fee imposed on his factory.

He  told the court that the convict used the same forged teller to collect payment receipt with number 211681 from SON.

Adeleke said the teller was discovered to be fake when SON could not find the said amount in its account and also confirmed by Zenith Bank.

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He said the offence is punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Law Cap 34, Vol. IL Laws of Osun.

The defence counsel, Mr R. A Ugwu pleaded with the court to be lenient with his client, saying he is the breadwinner of his family.

Ugwu,  said the convict was a Master degree holder and first offender.

Delivering the Judgment,  Magistrate Modupe Awodele,  said she was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the laboratory result and bank deposit presented to SON were forged by the accused.

The Magistrate who convicted the convict on the two count charge,  said it was sad that many people might have used their hard earned money to purchase the untreated water, which might have resulted in some deaths.

“The convict should have pleaded for forgiveness and not mercy. He is wicked and did not deserve mercy.

“It is a presumption in law that anyone who is in possession of a forged document is a forger.

I hereby sentence the accused to six months in prison on count one and six months on count two.

“The sentences are to run concurrently”, Awodele said.

She also banned the sachet water factory owned by the convict for one year.

Speaking after the Court Judgement, Mr Jerome Umoru, the Osun State SON Coordinator said the judgement would serve as a warning to those who engage in unwholesome practices.

Umoru said the organisation would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that all producers and manufacturers follow standards.

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