9th September, 2011
Three Cameroonians arrested for selling unregistered and fake Chinese traditional medicines to members of the public have been arraigned at a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Southsouth Nigeria.
The suspects were arrested by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State , recently.
They were reportedly operating an illegal clinic at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abakiliki, where they also dispensed and administered fake Chinese medicines on unsuspecting members of the public.
Six bags of assorted fake drugs labelled in Chinese language were confiscated from them.
The suspect claimed they were working for Christian Gmipibio, a Cameroonian citizen based in China , who sourced the fake drugs from China and sent to them to sell in Nigeria .
The three suspects, Penda Geougs, Nana Patrice and Andrea Capoel, are facing a four-count charge of importing, selling, distributing and being in possession of unregistered fake and counterfeit drugs before Justice Tijani Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
During hearing of the matter, Justice Abubakar said the act is contrary to section 1[1] of the Food, Drug and Related Products [Registration etc] Act Cap F33 LFN 2004 and punishable under section 6 and 7 of the same act.
Abubakar said the offence also violates section 1[a] of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food [Miscellaneous provision] Act cap C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under section 3[1][a] of the same Act.
The suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Their counsel J.N. Eluke pleaded for their bail which the prosecution counsel, Mathias Abutu did not object to, but asked the court for a stiff bail conditions that will make it difficult for the suspects to jump bail since they were illegal aliens.
Justice Abubakar granted the suspects bail upon provision of one surety each, who must reside and own landed property in Abakaliki that will be verified at Ebonyi state government land registry among other conditions.
The case has been adjourned till 31 October for further hearing.
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt