A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday fixed Jan. 12 for continuation of the trial of a Chinese, Hong Dong Shen, charged with forgery of rice brand.
The accused is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud, unlawful possession and stealing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case was stalled last Thursday because the prosecution, led by Mr. Daniel Apochi, was unprepared.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, therefore, adjourned the case at the instance of the prosecutor to Jan. 12.
At the last adjournment, the court was forced to adjourned the case following the absence of prosecution witnesses.
Yunusa had urged the prosecution to exhibit more diligence in the suit since it bordered on a criminal charge.
The accused, who was arraigned on July 29, 2013, had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Yunusa had also ordered the accused to deposit his travelling documents at the court’s registry.
The prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offences between February 2011 and March 2013.
According to him, the accused forged the trademark of Olam Nig. Ltd, producers of Mama Gold Rice, and had fraudulently reproduced about 140 bags for sale to members of the public. He said the trademark is valued at N200 million.
The offences contravened the provisions of sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004, as well as Sections 3 and 32 of the Merchandise Act, 2004. (NAN)
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