LAGOS, June 22, 2025 – A 38-year-old vendor, identified as Walter Okafor, was apprehended by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) yesterday and arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court in Oshodi for allegedly distributing fake condoms under the guise of the popular “Kiss” brand.
According to LASCOPA’s Director of Enforcement, Mrs. Ifeoma Adebayo, undercover officers seized over 5,000 units of the counterfeit products from a warehouse in Mushin. “These items posed a serious public health risk,” Mrs. Adebayo stated. “They were packaged to look exactly like genuine ‘Kiss’ condoms but bore no traceable manufacturing or expiry information.”
Mr. Okafor was formally charged with violating Sections 11 and 12 of the Consumer Protection Law, which prohibit the sale of substandard and misbranded goods. If convicted, he faces up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦5 million, or both.
At his court appearance, the accused pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Adekunle Olawale granted him bail in the sum of ₦1 million with two sureties in like sum, to ensure his attendance at subsequent proceedings. The case has been adjourned until July 10 for mention.
LASCOPA has urged members of the public to purchase sexual health products only from licensed pharmacies and to report any suspicious merchandise to the agency’s hotlines. “Counterfeit condoms not only fail to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections but can also expose users to chemical irritants,” Mrs. Adebayo warned.
The authentic “Kiss” brand, distributed by SafeLife Nigeria Ltd., has also distanced itself from the incident, confirming that all genuine products bear unique QR codes for authenticity verification. Customers are advised to scan the code before purchase or visit the company’s official website.
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