Nigeria: Police Raid Lagos Markets, Seize N5m Fake Tobacco Rolling Papers

Source from:  The Guardian Nigeria 02/19/2013

OFFICERS from Lagos State Police Command have raided various markets in the Lagos metropolis during which fake tobacco rolling papers estimated at N5 million were confiscated.

The raid in Mushin, Agege, Idumota, was ordered by the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos following an ex parte injunction granted in favour of House of Stewart UK LLP, Stardale International Limited, FMCG Distributions Limited, House of Stewart Limited, the four companies that

The four plaintiff companies had sued Taiban Investment Limited (defendant) for allegedly offering for sale fake tobacco rolling papers branded as original "Roll Bond" or "Ebby Roll" or "Rizz" paper in the Nigerian market.

The court, among others, prohibits the defendants and its agents from manufacturing, importing, distributing, offering for sale, promoting, marketing, branding, or supplying  'Tobacco Rolling Papers' or any product whatsoever with the trademark 'Roll Bond', its label and logo.

The court further empowers the plaintiff to search and seize the counterfeits of its brand anywhere in the market the items are found which formed the basis for the raid by policemen assisted by court bailiffs.

One of the traders at Sanusi Onisi Street, Idumota, said his shop was not among those listed in the court order.

But when the police checked, boxes of fake tobacco rolling paper were found in and immediately seized following which other shops in the neighbourhood began to close down.

The Sales and Marketing Director, Mr. Gandhi Anandan said his company was concerned because the counterfeiters "use a cheap synthetic adhesive found to be toxic and which, when combusted, is harmful to health while the original is made from Spain, the side of the wallet is gummed and sharp, and does not open on the inside." Enditem