A Federal High Court in Lagos has found a trader, Elijah Chigbogu, guilty and fined him along with two companies he is linked to for dealing with fake and unregistered drugs.
Justice Musa Kakaki convicted Chigbogu and the companies, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, after they admitted guilt to a four-count charge from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The court imposed a fine of N1.5 million on Chigbogu after both sides reached a plea bargain.
The defendants faced charges on Thursday for having and displaying fake drugs for sale, as well as importing and distributing unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The items linked to 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.
Other items included Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets, and Doxazosin 2mg Tablets.
The prosecution reported that Chigbogu and the companies had these products on July 28, 2025, at their locations in Idumota, Lagos Island, and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
NAFDAC claimed that the defendants unlawfully kept and showed these products for sale, even though they were fake or unregistered.
The actions violated the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act.
During the court session, NAFDAC's lawyer, Anita Madu, asked the judge to read the four-count charge to the defendants to get their pleas.
After the charges were read, the defendants admitted guilt to all four counts.
Following this, Madu told the court that both sides had reached a plea bargain and requested the court to accept it as its decision.
After looking over the agreement, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendants and fined Chigbogu N1.5 million.
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