Ogbonna Casmir
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), have arraigned three traders before Hon. Justice Daniel Osiagu of Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia for selling fake and unwholesome products.
The accused persons; Augustine Uzuegbu, Chukwudi Onuoha and Nnaemeka Ezeakor; traders at Aba, Abia state were arraigned on four counts charge in suit no. FHC/UM/CR/17/2016 concerning sell of adulterated, fake and counterfeit drugs and products to unsuspecting Nigerians in Aba market.
The charge reads: “that you Augustine Uzuegbu, (m) of No 28b Mbaitolu street, Nnaemeka Ezeakor (m) of No 28b Mbaitolu Street and Chukwudi Onuoha (m) of No 170 Force Road Aba, Abia state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court on or about 13th October, 2015 at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia state did sell unwholesome processed food to wit: Milksi filled instant milk powder and thereby committed an offence contrary to section (1)(a) of the counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome processed food (miscellaneous provisions) Act Cap C34, LFN, 2004.
“that you Augustine Uzuegbu, (m) of No 28b Mbaitolu street, Nnaemeka Ezeakor (m) of No 28b Mbaitolu Street and Chukwudi Onuoha (m) of No 170 Force Road Aba, Abia state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court on or about 13th October, 2015 at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia state was found in possession of unwholesome processed food to wit: Milksi filled instant milk powder and thereby committed an offence contrary to section (1)(a) of the counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome processed food (miscellaneous provisions) Act Cap C34, LFN, 2004.
“that you Augustine Uzuegbu, (m) of No 28b Mbaitolu street, Nnaemeka Ezeakor (m) of No 28b Mbaitolu Street and Chukwudi Onuoha (m) of No 170 Force Road Aba, Abia state within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court on or about 13th October, 2015 at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia state sold unregistered milk to wit: Milksi filled instant milk powder and thereby committed an offence contrary to section (1)(1) of Food, Drugs and Related Products (registration etc) Act Cap F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under the section (6(a) of the same Act.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offences when the charge was read to their understanding.
The court following an application for bail by their counsel and was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Umar Shamaki Esq granted them bail of N1m each with three sureties each which address and means of livelihood be verified by the defence and confirm by the prosecution.
The court adjourned to September 2016 for trial.
Similarly the Agency have arraigned an Onitsha based medicine dealer, Israel Ali before Anambra state high court sitting in Awka, for alleged dealing in fake products.
Ali, a staff of E Derine Nigeria Limited was arraigned alongside his Managing Director Mr. Alumona Ejiofor, before Justice I. N. Oweibo for being in possession of fake stopcof with codine.
