Bauchi man arrested for producing, selling adulterated fertilizer
Story from Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has arrested Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, a middle-aged man, for producing and selling adulterated fertilizer to farmers in the Chinade district of Katagum Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
Alhaji Adamu Abba Galaje, the Zonal Coordinator for the North East, made the announcement today when he paraded the suspect before newsmen in Bauchi. He revealed that the suspect was apprehended by the operation team in Chinade.
The team seized over 150 bags of counterfeit fertilizer from the suspect. According to Abba, the suspect was caught in the act of producing counterfeit Golden Fertilizer.
He mixed four different combinations of fertilizers—Mai Rago, Freedom, Boko, and Indoorama—and repackaged them inside Golden Fertilizer bags to sell as the original product to farmers.
Murtala Sa’ad, the head of the operations team, explained that they took action based on an intelligence report. Upon receiving the information, they swiftly mobilized the team to the site and were fortunate to catch the suspect red-handed.
Sa’ad stated, “During the operation, we confiscated over one hundred and fifty bags of counterfeit Golden Fertilizer that were already made at the site. We closed down the place and arrested the suspect without any resistance from either the producer or the community.”
The operations officer added that after completing all necessary investigations, the suspect would be charged to court for violating Section 26 of the amended 2015 SON Act, relating to standards.
During interrogation, the suspect, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Chinade, confessed to committing the offense out of ignorance of the law.
He stated, “I was unaware of the existing laws on standardization. Additionally, the high demand for Golden Fertilizer in the market by our farmers motivated me to engage in this illegal business.”
“I plead ignorance of the existing law and appeal to the Standards Organization to consider the circumstances with mercy,” he added.
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