NAFDAC arraigns man, 2 companies over unlawful importation, distribution of unregistered drugs in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday, September 24, arraigned a Lagos trader, Elijah Chigbogu, and two companies linked to him over the unlawful importation and distribution of unregistered drugs in Lagos.

The defendants, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, were arraigned before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a four-count charge filed by NAFDAC.

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

The products 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.

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

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

NAFDAC claimed 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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