NAFDAC: COURT CONVICTS LAGOS TRADER, TWO COMPANIES OVER FAKE DRUGS
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted a Lagos-based trader, Elijah Chigbogu, and two companies, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, over the possession, importation and distribution of unregistered drugs.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Christy Obiazikwor, obtained by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Justice Musa Kakaki convicted the defendants on Thursday after they pleaded guilty to a four-count charge filed by NAFDAC.
The prosecution, led by NAFDAC counsel Anita Madu, told the court that the offences were committed on July 28, 2025, at the defendants’ business premises in Idumota and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
The defendants were allegedly found in possession of drugs described by NAFDAC as fake, including Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg tablets, Canesten Thrush 20mg, Anusol ointment and Gaviscon Double Action.
Other drugs listed in the charge included Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg tablets, Allopurinol 300mg tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg tablets and Dexazosin 2mg tablets.
The prosecution further alleged that the defendants displayed the drugs for sale, imported them without registration and distributed them in violation of relevant laws.
The charges were brought under provisions of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act.
During the arraignment, the four-count charge was read to the defendants, who pleaded guilty to all the counts.
Following their guilty pleas and a review of the plea bargain agreement, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendants.
The court sentenced Chigbogu to a fine of N1.5m.
The prosecution had alleged that the defendants’ activities involved the unlawful possession, display for sale, importation and distribution of unregistered drugs.
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