Court sentences Lagos businessman, others over illegal importation, distribution of counterfeit drugs
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has convicted and sentenced a Lagos businessman, Elijah Chigbogu and his two companies, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited to a fine of N1.5 million over illegal importation, possession and distribution of unregistered counterfeit drugs.
Justice Kakaki convicted and sentenced Elijah Chigbogu and the two companies following their guilty plea to a four counts charge of unlawful possession, distribution and importation of unregistered drugs filed against them by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC)
The charge was filed by counsel to NAFDAC, Mr Bartholomew Simon and argued by Anita Madu Esq.
According to the charge, the three defendants Elijah Chigbogu and two companies, Profile & Well Phamaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited of No.58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and of No. 29, Oluwale Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28th day of July, 2025 were found in possession of fake drugs to wit: Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 1mg Tablets, icorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyl 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets.
According to the charge, NAFDAC stated that the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section I (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN,2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) of the same Act.
When the matter came up for arraignment today, counsel for NAFDAC Anita Madu Esq told Justice Musa Kakaki that the prosecution has a four counts charge and urged the court to make an order directing that the charge be read so that the defendants can take thier plea.
The charge was then read and the defendants pleaded guilty to the four counts charge.
Following the defendants plea of guilt, the prosecutor informed the court of the existence of a plea bargain agreement. She then urged the court to adopt the plea bargain agreement as the judgement of the court.
After the review of the plea bargain agreement, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendants and sentenced the first defendant to a fine of N1.5milliom.
The charge against the defendant reads:
COUNT 1: That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street, Idumota, Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28th day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, were found in possession of fake drugs to wit: Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 1mg Tablets, Icorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyl 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) of the same Act.
COUNT 2: That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street, Idumota, Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28th day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did display fake drugs for the purpose of sale to wit: Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 5Omg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed
Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34 Section 3(1) of the same Act. LEN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) of the same Act.
COUNT 3: That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwaie Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28th day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, imported unregistered drugs to wit: Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, ETC) Act, Cap. F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 6(1)(a) and 8 of the same Act.
COUNT 4: That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street, Idumota, Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28th day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, distributed unregistered drugs to wit: – Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 5Omg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, ETC) Act, Cap. F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 6(1)(a) and 8 of the same Act.
