Lagos Court Convicts Trader, Two Companies Over Fake and Unregistered Drugs
NAFDAC Prosecution Leads to Guilty Pleas, N1.5m Fine
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted a Lagos-based trader and two companies over the possession, sale, importation and distribution of fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The defendants — Elwah Chigbogu, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited — were convicted after pleading guilty to a four-count charge brought against them by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Justice Musa Kakaki handed down the conviction after reviewing the plea-bargain agreement reached in the case.
Following the agreement, Chigbogu was sentenced to pay a N1.5 million fine.
Four-Count Charge
The defendants were arraigned on four counts relating to the unlawful possession of fake drugs, displaying fake drugs for sale, importing unregistered drugs and distributing unregistered pharmaceutical products.
According to the charge, the defendants were allegedly found on or about July 28, 2025, in possession of pharmaceutical products that NAFDAC described as fake.
Their addresses were listed as No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, and No. 29, Oluwale Loyole Street, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
The first count accused the defendants of unlawfully possessing fake drugs, an offence under Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The second count concerned the alleged display of fake drugs for sale under Section 1(b) of the same legislation.
The third count alleged the importation of unregistered drugs, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. F33, LFN 2004.
The fourth count involved the alleged distribution of unregistered drugs under the same Act.
Drugs Listed in the Charge
Among the pharmaceutical products listed in the charge were Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten Thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment and Gaviscon Double Action.
Others included Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets.
NAFDAC alleged that the defendants not only possessed the products but also displayed them for sale, imported unregistered drugs and distributed them.
NAFDAC Presents Case
When the matter came up for arraignment, NAFDAC’s counsel, Anita Madu, told the court that the prosecution had filed a four-count charge and asked the judge to direct that the charges be read to the defendants so they could enter their pleas.
The defendants subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges.
The conviction forms part of NAFDAC’s enforcement activities against the possession, sale and distribution of counterfeit and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
