A 46-year-old Ofoelo Chinenye Donatus, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over his alleged involvement in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit exotic alcoholic beverages, specifically products branded as Casamigos Tequila.
Ofoelo, who resides at no. 12, Eze-Ilo Street, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko on a three-count charge preferred against him by the National Agency for Foods and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC).
The defendant, according to the prosecutor, Barrister B. Simon, allegedly committed the offences on or about January 29 and 30, 2026, at his stores located at Shop No. 63, Balogun Street, Lagos Island, and at TA44/45, Balogun Ultramodern Shopping Mall Limited, both within the jurisdiction of the court.
The prosecutor, also allege that Donatus aided two suspects, Austine Odumodu Wine, said to reside in Lagos State, and Ezeoba Ekwelie, reportedly based in the eastern part of Nigeria and who are currently at large.
He was also alleged to have acted with the assistance of Mrs. Akunne Obianujulu Matilda, who is said to currently reside in the Republic of China.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendant facilitated in the production of counterfeit Casamigos tequila, by illegally importing and selling branded packaging materials, empty bottles, and corks associated with the tequila brand.
The defendant’s acts according to the prosecutor, contravene Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. They are punishable under Section 3(1)(a) of the same Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to him.
Upon his not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, and prayed the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the charge.
But his lawyer, informed the court that his clients bail application has been filed and same has been served on the prosecution. He therefore moved his bail application, and urged the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.
In considering the bail application, Justice Aluko admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum.
The judge ordered that the surety could be either a Grade Level 12 or a property owner with registered title who must be resident in Lagos state, and who must have evidence of three years tax payment, with two passport and to depose to an affidavit of means.
The judge, while adjourning the matter to June 11, 2026, for trial ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), pending the fulfillment of the bail ters.
Charges Against The defendant read: “that you, Ofoelo Chinenye Donatus, Male, 46 years old. at Ano OD Eze-ilo Street, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, or on about the 29th day of January, 2026, at Shop No. 63, Balogun Street, lagios island, Lagos and 1TA44/45, Balogun Ultramodern shopping Mall, limited, respectively, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did aid Austine Odumodu Wine, who resides in Lagos State (now at large) and Ezeoba Ekwelie, who resides at the Eastern part of Nigeria (now at Large) to manufacture unwholesome processed food to wit: Casamigos tequila, by your illegal act of importation and sale of Casamigos tequila packaging materials, Casamigos tequila empty bottles and Casamigos tequila cork, to them, with the assistance of Mrs. Akunne Obianujulu Matilda (who now resides in the Republic of China) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004,and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the same Act.
“That you, Ofoelo Chinenye Donatus, Malle, 46 years ald, of No. 12, Eze-ilo Street, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on or about the 29th day of January, 2026, at Shop No. 63, Balogun Street, Lagos Island Lagos and TA44/45, Balogun Ultramodern Shopping Mall Limited, respectively, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did aid Austine Odumodu Wine, who resides in Lagos State (now at Large) and Ezeoba Ekwelie, who resides In the Eastern part of Nigeria (now at Large) to distribute unwholesome protested food to wit: Casamigos tequila, by your illegal act of importation and sale of Casamigos tequila packaging materials, Casamigos tequila empty bottles and Casamigos tequila cork, to them, with the assistance of Mrs. Akunne Obianujulu Matilda (who now resides in the Republic of China) and thereby committed an offence contrary ta Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Funds (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the same Act.
“That you, Ofoelo Chinenye Donatus, Male, 46 years old, of No. 10, Eze-llo Street,
Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on or about the 29th day of January, 2026, at Shop No. 63, Balogun Street, Lagos Island, Lagos and TA44/45, Balogun Ultramodern Shopping Mall Limited, respectively, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did aid Austine Odumodu Wine, who resides in Lagos State (now at Large) and Ezeoba Ekwelie, who resides in the Eastern part of Nigeria (now at Large) to sell unwholesome processed food to wit: Casamigos tequila, by your illegal act of importation and sale of Casamigos tequila packaging materials, Casamigos tequila empty bottles and Casamigos tequila cork, to them, with the assistance of Mrs. Akunne Obianujulu Matilda (who now resides in the Republic of China) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the same Act.”
