Court fines Lagos trader N1.5m over fake drugs

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted and fined a Lagos trader, Elijah Chigbogu, and two companies linked to him over the unlawful possession, importation and distribution of fake and unregistered drugs.

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Justice Musa Kakaki convicted Chigbogu and the companies, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, after they pleaded guilty to a four-count charge filed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

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The court sentenced Chigbogu to a fine of N1.5m following a plea bargain agreement reached between the defendants and the prosecution.

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The defendants were arraigned on Thursday by NAFDAC over allegations bordering on the possession and display of fake drugs for sale, as well as the importation and distribution of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

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The products allegedly recovered from the defendants included Zanza Cyproheptadine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten Thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment and Gaviscon Double Action.

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Others were Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Doxazosin 2mg Tablets.

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According to the prosecution, Chigbogu and the companies were found in possession of the products on July 28, 2025, at their premises in Idumota, Lagos Island, and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

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NAFDAC alleged that the defendants unlawfully possessed and displayed the products for sale and were also involved in their importation and distribution despite the products being fake or unregistered.

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The offences were said to contravene provisions of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act.

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At the arraignment, NAFDAC counsel, Anita Madu, urged the court to direct that the four-count charge be read to the defendants for their pleas to be taken.

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

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Following their pleas, Madu informed the court that the prosecution and defendants had reached a plea bargain agreement and urged the court to adopt it as its judgment.

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After reviewing the agreement, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendants and sentenced Chigbogu to a fine of N1.5m.

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