NAFDAC Charges Two To Court Over Fake Products

The National Agency
for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned two persons in Federal High Court, Port Harcourt for producing fake and counterfeit products.
One of the accused, Tochukwu Michael who was arrested by NAFDAC officials at No. 6 Ekulumiri Abosi Awada, Anambra State is standing on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful production and possession of fake and uregistered maxiquine Triple Action Syrup for children.
Meanwhile, the second accused, Onyekachukwu Bartholomew Okafor who resides at No 2 Road, Ebemma Ogbor-Hill Aba, Abia State was also slammed with a three-count charge of selling and distributing unregistered cosmetic products.
The prosecuting counsel Umar Shamaki told the court that Okafor was arrested by NAFDAC officials sometime in April at Aba, Abia State while perpetrating the illegal act.
Umar alleged that the offences of Michael contravened Section I (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods(miscellaneous provision) Act Cap (34 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3 (1)(a) of the same Act.
He added that the offence of Okafor also contravend section 1(1) of the Food, Drug and related products (Registration etc) Act Cap F33, laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the Section 6(1) (a) of the same Act.
The oral bail application made by Okafor’s counsel was rejected by the presiding judge, Justice I.E Ekwu.
Justice Ekwu ordered that the two accused be remanded in federal prison in the respective state where the offence was committed.
NAFDAC counsel Umar Shamaki noted that the first accused, Tochukwu Michael is a notorious and unrepentant counterfeiter who was once arrested in Onitsha for counterfeiting cough syrup and while he was still on bail, continued with the unlawful acts.
He said that the Director General’s stance of zero tolerance to counterfeit and unwholesome products predisposes that NAFDAC will not relent in prosecuting offenders.
The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.