The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has secured the convictions of a Lagos trader and two companies linked to him for offences related to fake drugs. The convictions were obtained at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday, September 26, 2026. The defendants, Elwah Chigbogu, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, were convicted after pleading guilty to a four-count charge filed by NAFDAC.
According to the charge, the defendants were found in possession of various pharmaceutical products allegedly considered fake or unregistered on July 28, 2025. The products included Zanza Cyproheptadine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, among others. The alleged offences occurred at addresses in Idumota, Lagos Island, and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos. The prosecution told the court that the first count bordered on unlawful possession of counterfeit and fake drugs, while the second concerned displaying the products for sale.
The prosecutor, represented by counsel to NAFDAC, Anita Madu, and another lawyer, Bartholomew Simon, presented the case against the defendants. Justice Musa Kakaki convicted the defendants after they pleaded guilty to the charges. The convictions mark a significant milestone in the fight against counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been working to rid the country of counterfeit drugs. The agency's efforts involve collaboration with law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to bring perpetrators to justice. In this case, NAFDAC's successful prosecution of the defendants sends a strong message to those involved in the illicit trade of fake drugs.
The defendants were arraigned on charges relating to the alleged possession of fake drugs, display of the products for sale, and the importation and distribution of unregistered pharmaceutical products. The court found them guilty of the offences and convicted them accordingly. The convictions demonstrate the commitment of the judiciary to tackling the menace of counterfeit drugs.
Counterfeit drugs pose a significant threat to public health, as they can be ineffective or even deadly. The fight against fake drugs requires a multi-stakeholder approach, involving government agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector. NAFDAC's success in securing convictions is a step in the right direction.
The convictions of Elwah Chigbogu, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited serve as a deterrent to others involved in the illicit trade of fake drugs. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control will continue to work to protect Nigerians from the dangers of counterfeit drugs.
Key points
- NAFDAC secured convictions of a trader and two companies for unlawful possession, display, importation, and distribution of unregistered and counterfeit drugs.
- The convictions were obtained at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday, September 26, 2026.
- The defendants were found in possession of various pharmaceutical products allegedly considered fake or unregistered on July 28, 2025.
