Travel agent docked over fake drugs importation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned a travel agent, Okechukwu Tony Maduegbunam, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged importation of fake drugs. The suspect was arraigned before Justice Abdulazeez Anka on a three-count charge bordering on the alleged offence. Maduegbunam pleaded not guilty when the […]

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned a travel agent, Okechukwu Tony Maduegbunam, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged importation of fake drugs.
The suspect was arraigned before Justice Abdulazeez Anka on a three-count charge bordering on the alleged offence.
Maduegbunam pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. As a result, the prosecution counsel, Umar Shamaki, prayed the court to remand him in prison custody.
 “In view of the plea of the accused, my lord, we ask for a date for trial. We are also asking for a remand order,” Shamaki stated.
But the defence counsel, Samuel Ejeke, made an oral application for the bail of his client.
He said, “My lord, I ask for his bail orally. I was briefed this afternoon by his sister,” he said.
Trial judge, Anka, however said he was more disposed to written bail application. He advised the defence to take a trial date and file their written bail application. He stated that the accused could bring a motion for bail within the adjourned period, adding that a hearing date would be given to him before the adjourned date.
He thereafter adjourned to May 17, 2016 and ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody.
According to the charge, the accused who lives at No 11 Abibu Oki Street, Lagos Island, on or about February 10, 2016 at NAHCO Lagos, did import fake drugs, namely: Aquate Anti-itch cream, Aspirin (325g) tablets, Rexall tablets, Naproxen Sodium tablets and Fexofennadine Hydrochloride.
He was also accused of importing unregistered drugs in the second count while the third count said he imported expired drugs.
Shamaki said the offences are contrary to Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under section 3(1)(a) of the same Act.
The offence of importing unregistered drugs, he said, was contrary to Section 1(1) of Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration Etc) Act, Cap F33 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 6(1)(a) of the same Act.