By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A 52-year-old man, Valentine Duru, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos, for alleged fraudulent usage of counterfeit seal of medic 55, procold cap, Freecold plus, Mixa grip Caplet, all bearing the semblance of Orange Drug Nigeria Ltd products.

Duru was arraigned on a four-count charge of fraud, breaking and stealing, offense punishable under Section 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.

The charge marked as B/26/2012 read in part: “That you Valentine Duru ‘m’ and others at large sometimes in the month of July 2011 at Orange Drug Limited, Ilupeju, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District stole (1) Delta Medicated and Antiseptic Soap, (2) Beytucean Cream, (3) Canex Cream, (4) Temporate Cream, (5) Sudrex, (6) Medik 55, (7) Procold, (8) Boska, (9) Exadon Tablets valued N10 Million, properties of Orange Drug Ltd.”

According to the Charge, Duru and others at large sometimes in the month of July 2011 broke into the Warehouse of Orange Drug Ltd, Ilupeju, Lagos and committed felony therein and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 307 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Duru was also said to have conspired with others at large to commit felonies namely; House breaking and stealing, sometimes in the month of July 2011 at Orange Drug Limited, Ilupeju, Lagos and thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Meanwhile, Magistrate F. Davies-Abegunde granted bail to the accused (Duru) in the sum of N2 million, two sureties who are to be Directors of their own- with certificate of incorporation, statement of account, three years tax clearance and must be residence of Lagos State.

The matter was adjourned to August 16, 2012 for hearing and the accused could not fulfill his bail conditions, which lead to his being remanded in prison custody.