NAFDAC nabs bizman over fake insecticides

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has charged a Lagos-based businessman, Obumneme Okpala (alias Okanu), before a Federal High Court in Lagos on a three count criminal charges of importation, possession and sale of fake and unregistered drugs.

NAFDAC alleged that the defendant, Obumneme Okpala of Block 188, Plot 2054, Amuwo Odofin Estate, Lagos on the 13th of October 2017 imported fake drugs to wit; Kilit, Read-A-Dream, RoyalDream Insecticides and labelled the aforementioned products.

The offence committed is said to be contrary to Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap. C34, LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.

Okpala was also alleged to be in possession of fake drugs products to wit, Kilit, Read-A-Dream , Royal Dream Insecticides and label of the aforementioned products and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the same Act.

When the matter came up for trial recently, counsel representing NAFDAC, Mr Umaru Shamaki, told Justice Muslim Hassan that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial as the first prosecution witness was in court.

Consequently, the first prosecution witness was called into the witness box.

The First prosecution witness, Mr Mayone Oghene, an Investigation and Enforcement Officer with NAFDAC while being led in evidence-in-chief told the court that on October 13, 2017, the enforcement unit of NAFDAC received a petition from some concerned citizens on the importation. wharehousing, distribution and sale of suspected fake Read-ADream, Kilit and Royal Dream insecticides that was kept at Block 118, Plot Odofin, Lagos.

Oghene said immediately the agency received the information, the Deputy Director Chemical and Medical Devises constituted a team of the enforcement officers of NAFDAC, police detectives and mobile policemen who stormed the premises.

Oghene said on getting to the premises the security man to the premises was met who told him that his boss, (the defendant) had just left.

The witness said that on searching the premises, large quantities of the three products were found while attempts by the defendant to move the products to another hideout was foiled as the new location was uncovered and all the ware eventually evacuated to NAFDAC warehouse in Oshodi.

Meanwhile, Justice Hassan has adjourned further hearing in the matter till May 9 for the cross-examination of the witness by the defendant’s counsel. 2,054 Amuwo