A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted Elijah Chigbogu, a Lagos trader, and two companies, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, for offences related to fake drugs. The convictions were made on September 22, 2023, after the defendants pleaded guilty to a four-count charge filed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC). The charges were brought against the defendants for their actions on July 28, 2025.
According to the NAFDAC, the defendants were found in possession of various unregistered drugs, including Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, and Zirtek Allergy Relief, among others. The agency alleged that the defendants displayed these drugs for sale, imported them without registration, and distributed them in contravention of relevant laws. The offences are punishable under Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
The prosecution, led by NAFDAC counsel Anita Madu, presented the case to the court, which subsequently convicted the defendants after they pleaded guilty to all four counts. The court sentenced Chigbogu to a fine of N1.5m. The two companies, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, were also convicted, although the details of their sentences were not specified.
The Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation, 2004, and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. F33, LFN 2004, are relevant laws that regulate the importation, distribution, and sale of drugs in Nigeria. The convictions are part of efforts by NAFDAC to curb the circulation of fake and unregistered drugs in the country.
The Director of Public Affairs of NAFDAC, Christy Obiazikwor, confirmed the convictions in a statement. The agency has been working to rid the country of counterfeit and fake drugs, which pose a significant threat to public health. The convictions serve as a warning to others who engage in similar activities.
The case was brought to court after NAFDAC received intelligence on the defendants' activities. The agency conducted an investigation, which led to the seizure of the unregistered drugs. The defendants' business addresses in Idumota and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, were also raided.
The convictions of Elijah Chigbogu, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited demonstrate the commitment of the Nigerian government to enforcing laws related to the importation and distribution of drugs. Three key points from this case are: the defendants were convicted for possessing, importing, and distributing unregistered drugs; the offences were committed on July 28, 2025; and the defendants were fined or sentenced under relevant laws.
Key points
- A Lagos trader and two companies have been convicted for fake drug peddling.
- The convictions were made under Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
- The defendants were fined or sentenced for their roles in the importation and distribution of unregistered drugs.
