Ajadi in a group photograph with CICAN members in Lagos.
.Assures of NAFDAC’s assistance
‘As a company, we have been proactive in addressing the issue by lodging a formal complaint earlier in 2022 with the Director of the Investigation & Enforcement Directorate at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Apapa, Lagos’
By Valentine Amanze
Coco Samba
One of the surviving indigenous manufacturing companies in Nigeria, Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, has raised alarm over the faking of its flag-ship brand, Coco Samba, by yet to be identified persons.
It also lamented that the counterfeiting of the products, especially Coco Samba, has caused the Ogun State-based company billions of naira, while affecting its relationship with customers.
The Managing Director, Chief Executive, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, raised the alarm at the secretariat of the Commerce & Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Lagos on Tuesday February 20, 2024.
Ajadi, who arrived the secretariet with his team, further disclosed that the company had taken the case to the National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC), which, he said, was already on top of the matter.
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Expressing confidence in NAFDAC’s ability to get to the roots, Ajadi also revealed that all the company’s products have the approval of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), vowing to unravel and sue those behind the campaign of calumny.
He also exhibited some of the company’s letters to the relevant agencies including NAFDAC on the faking of the product, dismissing outright, insinuations of acquisance.
One of the letters addressed to NAFDAC stated:
“We are writing to address recent reports that have surfaced on some online news platforms concerning the counterfeiting of a prime brand on our stable.
“This complaint specifically highlighted the counterfeiting of our product, Coco Samba Milk and Chocolate Flavored with Herbal Extract, which carries the legitimate NAFDAC registration number A8-9149L.
“What is not however true is the insinuation that we have been indifferent to the situation.
“As a company, we have been proactive in addressing the issue by lodging a formal complaint earlier in 2022 with the Director of the Investigation & Enforcement Directorate at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Apapa, Lagos.
“The Managing Director, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, and the entire management team have been shocked by the circulating news and want to assure our stakeholders that all necessary actions are being taken to promptly address this issue.”
Ajadi also clarified that before registration of Coco Samba Milk and Chocolate Flavored with Herbal it was producing Coco Samba Bitters Alcoholic drinks with NAFDAC No A8-4418L.
“However, due to low market demand, the production of Coco Samba Bitters Alcoholic Drink was discontinued, and it has not been in production since the expiry date of the license,” he said.
He assured on the company’s commitment to upholding high standards in its manufacturing processes, adding:
“We commend NAFDAC for its pivotal role in ensuring manufacturers comply with statutory laws related to standardization.
“Attached herewith is a copy of the letter previously submitted to NAFDAC, outlining our concerns and seeking their intervention. We encourage the public to await the outcome of the ongoing investigation and appreciate the continued support and understanding of our customers, importers, distributors, and healthcare providers.”
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