14th February, 2012
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria this morning commenced the trial of three accused persons, Kola Okunlola Gbadegesin, Adeyemo Abiodun and Egbele Eromosele and their company, Barewa Pharmaceutical Company alleged producers of My Pikin, an adulterated teething baby mixture.
The first prosecution witness, Mrs. Hauwa Keri who is the Director of Establishment for Inspection, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, told the court that she recognised the accused persons. In November, 2008, she received a call from the Chief Pharmacist, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria reporting to her that some children were dying after taking ‘My Pikin’ teething mixture syrup.
A report she said was then passed to the then director-general of NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
She added that investigation revealed that all the children who took the mixture and died, all were killed by renal failure characterised by inability to pass urine.
Mrs. Kemi said the sample of the drug was later sent to the laboratory. The result indicated that it was conterminated with a deadly chemical.
Consequently, the officials of NAFDAC mopped up the syrup in circulation across the country. NAFDAC also put up a public alert to stop the use of ‘My Pikin’ and other related products of the company to prevent further casualty.
The director of Barewa company was directed to instructed their distributors to withdraw the drug from circulation.
Thereafter, the witness said a team of NAFDAC officials moved to the company and sealed it.
After the witness had concluded her evidence, the presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke adjourned further hearing till Thursday.
—Akin Kuponiyi