Nigeria: Federal High Court Convicts Trader and Two Companies Over Fake and Unregistered Drugs

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a Lagos-based trader and two companies over the unlawful possession, sale, importation and distribution of fake and unregistered pharmaceutical products.

Justice Musa Kakaki convicted Elijah Chigbogu, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited after all three defendants pleaded guilty to a four-count charge brought by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The charges arose from offences alleged to have been committed on or about July 28, 2025, at the defendants’ business premises at No. 58 Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, and No. 29 Oluwale Loyole Street, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.

According to the prosecution, the defendants unlawfully possessed and displayed fake drugs for sale and were involved in the importation and distribution of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

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.

Other products included Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Doxazosin 2mg Tablets. The medicines covered a range of uses, including the treatment or management of allergies, hypertension, diabetes and pain.

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

During the proceedings, NAFDAC counsel Anita Madu asked the court to read the four-count charge to the defendants for their pleas. All three defendants pleaded guilty.

The prosecution subsequently informed the court that the parties had reached a plea bargain agreement and asked the court to adopt the agreement as its judgment.

After reviewing the plea bargain agreement and the defendants’ guilty pleas, Justice Kakaki convicted Chigbogu and the two companies. The court sentenced Chigbogu to a fine of ₦1.5 million.

Following the conviction, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to taking action against persons involved in the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of fake and substandard regulated products.

Case Information

Source: National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)