By Foday Moriba Conteh
An investigation conducted by The Calabash Newspaper has uncovered allegations involving a businessman accused of importing and allegedly selling suspected counterfeit RR electrical cables, raising fresh concerns about consumer safety and the circulation of substandard electrical materials within the country.
According to credible sources, the businessman, identified as Abdul, owner of Poor Nor Good Building Materials located at Sussex along the Peninsula, is currently under police investigation over allegations that suspected counterfeit RR electrical cables were being sold at his shop.
Sources disclosed that the Sierra Leone Police acted on intelligence reports and subsequently carried out an operation at the businessman’s premises in Sussex. During the exercise, police reportedly discovered and seized several rolls of electrical cables suspected to be counterfeit RR products.
Following the operation, Abdul was reportedly invited to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters for questioning. Sources further stated that he was later taken into custody and subsequently released pending ongoing investigations.
The seized cables, according to sources familiar with the matter, remain under police examination as authorities continue efforts to determine their authenticity and establish whether any laws relating to importation, trademark infringement, or public safety may have been violated.
The development comes amid increasing public concern over the growing number of fire outbreaks recorded across Sierra Leone in recent years. Authorities at the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) have previously linked several fire incidents to poor electrical installations and the use of substandard electrical materials, particularly inferior electrical cables.
Industry experts say the alleged circulation of counterfeit electrical products poses significant risks to households, businesses, and public institutions, warning that poor-quality cables can contribute to electrical faults, power surges, and fire outbreaks.
Further findings by The Calabash Newspaper indicate that RR cables are a registered trademark product of SV Electrical, a company situated on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown. Since 2019, the company has reportedly remained the sole authorized importer and distributor of genuine RR cables in Sierra Leone.
Sources disclosed that SV Electrical recently became aware of suspected counterfeit versions of its products allegedly being sold in parts of the country. The imitation products reportedly bear similarities in branding and packaging to genuine RR cables, raising concerns over consumer deception and broader public safety implications.
In a public advisory, SV Electrical reportedly reaffirmed its status as the exclusive distributor of genuine RR cables in Sierra Leone and urged customers to exercise caution when purchasing electrical products. The company advised consumers to verify product authenticity and encouraged purchases directly from its head office on Siaka Stevens Street or its branch at Hastings Junction.
Authorities have repeatedly warned importers, distributors, and traders against the importation and sale of counterfeit or substandard electrical products, emphasizing the dangers such products pose to public safety and national infrastructure.
Law enforcement officials have maintained that individuals found culpable of violating import regulations or endangering lives through the sale of fake or unsafe electrical materials could face legal action in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone.
Police sources confirmed that investigations into the matter remain ongoing, with many observers believing the outcome of the case could send a strong signal to individuals allegedly involved in the importation and distribution of counterfeit products.
Meanwhile, some concerned citizens have called on authorities to ensure that any counterfeit electrical materials seized during investigations are safely destroyed to prevent them from re-entering the market and posing further risks to the public.
When contacted by The Calabash Newspaper for comment, Abdul reportedly responded aggressively, insisting that “there is no matter” and claiming that the issue had already been resolved.
The Calabash Newspaper remains committed to balanced and objective journalism and stands ready to publish Abdul’s full response or side of the story should he choose to formally engage with this medium.
