Absence of Interpreter Stalls Trial of Chinese Charged with Importation of Fake Tyres

A Federal High Court in Lagos Monday fixed July 5 for continuation of trial of two Chinese, Tao Shen and Jing Yau, charged with importation of sub-standard tyres.

Shen, 36, and Yau, 22, are charged alongside a Nigerian, Chinedu Madubuike and two companies, Sino Nigeria Import and Export Ltd, and Nedeca International Ltd.

The accused are standing trial on four counts bordering on importation of substandard products.
They were arraigned on March 20, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court had granted them bail in the sum of N10million each with two sureties each in like sum.
The court also ordered the two companies charged to submit a bond in the sum of N10million.

On Monday, the trial of the accused could not proceed due to the absence of an interpreter for the accused.
Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun fixed July 5 for continuation of trial.
In the charge, the accused were said to have committed the offence in February (this year) by conspiring to import tyres which did not meet the relevant Nigeria industrial standard.

They were alleged to have stuffed various sizes of tyres into one, knowing same to be in a dangerous state, or been injurious to human life.

The accused were said to have imported the tyres which did not comply with the mandatory Nigeria standard on account of their stuffing different sizes into one, thereby making the tyres to be unfit for its purpose.
The tyres were said to have failed to meet the relevant Nigerian industrial standard and likely to endanger human lives.

Again, the accused were alleged to have failed to furnish returns on the conditions of the imported tyres as required by law.
The offences are said to have contravened the provisions of sections 320 and 510 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

It is also said to have contravened the provisions of sections 26 and 32 of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act, No 14, Laws of the Federation, 2004.