The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday, June 7, arraigned three individuals before the Federal High Court in Kano on charges of manufacturing and selling falsified medicines for children, News About Nigeria reports.
The suspects, Amao Gideon, Alumona Godwin Okwiludili, and Hillary Onah Paul Chigozie, along with their company, Giddyson Healthcare Limited, face a five-count charge brought by the federal government.
Prosecution counsel, Oche Matthias Abutu, acting on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, charged the defendants with manufacturing fake medicines and possession, distribution, and sale of falsified medicines.
The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, represented by Kano State Coordinator Kasim Ibrahim, outlined the syndicate’s involvement in producing several falsified medications, including Asian Ampicillin 125mg + Cloxacillin 125mg/5ml powder for oral suspension, Asian Ampicillin 125 mg/5ml powder for suspension, Erythromycin 125mg/5ml powder for suspension, and Artil-Go (Artemether 20 mg+ Lumefantrine 120 mg/5ml) powder for suspension.
All these products were found to contain zero active ingredients.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasised the danger these falsified drugs pose to patients, as they offer no therapeutic benefit and can lead to treatment failure and possible death.
She also noted that these products were not registered with NAFDAC, and the manufacturing details on their labels were fake.
NAFDAC’s investigation led to the discovery and sealing of the illegal manufacturing facility in Tafa town, Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State.
The agency acted on a tip-off followed by a thorough investigation, resulting in the arrests of the suspects.
Prof. Adeyeye called for the cooperation of Nigerians in the fight against counterfeit drug manufacturers, adding that NAFDAC remains committed to maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on substandard and falsified medicines.
She assured that the agency would continue to stay ahead of fraudsters in their pursuit of profit at the expense of public health.
In court, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Despite their lawyer’s request for bail, Justice Simon Amobeda denied the application, setting June 14 for the bail hearing and June 20 for the commencement of the trial.
