Businessman Sentenced to Five Years for Selling Fake Olive Oil in Abia

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has successfully convicted a businessman named Innocent Okoye for making and selling fake Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Aba, Abia State. Okoye, who is the Managing Director of Chikason Industrial Nigeria Limited, received a five-year prison sentence but has the option to pay a fine of ₦5 million instead.

This ruling came from Justice K. O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Umuahia on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The case started after NAFDAC launched an investigation following an enforcement operation in April 2026. During this operation, officials found a facility in Aba that was allegedly used to produce and distribute the counterfeit olive oil.

Okoye was arrested, and samples of the fake products were sent to NAFDAC’s laboratory for testing. The results of these tests were crucial in leading to his conviction on two counts of producing and selling counterfeit olive oil.

NAFDAC had previously warned in January 2026 about fake Goya oil packaged in plastic bottles, which were being sold as genuine products. At a media briefing, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, revealed that officials discovered an illegal production site in Lagos where palm oil was colored and packaged as Goya olive oil.

NAFDAC emphasized that authentic Goya oil sold in Nigeria comes in glass bottles through approved channels. The agency cautioned consumers to be careful with products labeled as Goya in plastic bottles, as these are likely counterfeit. They also warned that fake food products might contain harmful ingredients or be made in unsanitary conditions.

Consumers and traders are encouraged to purchase regulated products from trustworthy sources, check packaging carefully, and report any suspected counterfeit goods or illegal manufacturing to NAFDAC. The agency remains committed to investigating and prosecuting those involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit food products.