Trader, two firms convicted of fake drug peddling

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted a Lagos 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.

A statement by the Director of Public Affairs of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, Christy Obiazikwor, obtained by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, indicated that 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 defendants committed the offences on July 28, 2025, at their business addresses in Idumota and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

According to the charge, the defendants were 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, Gaviscon Double Action, 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 contravention of relevant laws.

The offences were said to be contrary to Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation, 2004, as well as Sections 1(1), 6(1)(a) and 8 of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. F33, LFN 2004.

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When the matter came up for arraignment, Madu urged the court to direct that the four-count charge be read to the defendants for their pleas.

The charge was subsequently read and the defendants pleaded guilty to all four counts.

Following the guilty pleas and 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.