By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A 40 years old Chinedu Okafor, has been docked by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) before Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged production and selling of Schnapps and some fruit juice wines.
According to the prosecutor, A. Ali Esq, Chinedu Okafor was arrested on April 26, at his residence, No 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos, where he is allegedly producing and processing Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin.
The defendant was docked before the court on an eight count-charge of manufacturing, dealing, selling, distributing, being in possession of unwholesome processed food of the above named drinks.
In the charge filed by the prosecutor, the defendant’s alleged illegal acts, contravened Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome, Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act; and Sections 1(1) and 1(3) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.
However, the defendant who was not represented by any counsel, pleaded not guilty to all the count-charge preferred against him.
In view of his ‘not guilty’ plea, the prosecutor applied for a trial date, and as well, urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charges.
While conceding to the prosecutor’s request, Justice Allagoa ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Lagos facility of the NCoS and adjourned the matter to July 10, for commencement of trial.
Some of the counts in the charge marked FHC/L/309c/2024 read:
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, was found in possession of unwholesome processed food to wit: Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome, Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did manufactured unwholesome processed food to wit:Apple. Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did sell unwholesome processed food to wit: Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit ang Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.”
“That you Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did distribute unwholesome processed food to wit: Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did manufacture processed food to wit: Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, without registration 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 Sections 6 and 8 of the same Act.
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did sell processed food to wit:Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, without registration 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 Sections 6 and 8 of the same Act.
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of. No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did distribute processed food to wit:Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, without registration and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1{1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, ETG) Act, Cap. F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Sections 6 and 8 of the same Act.
“That you, Chinedu Okafor, Male, 40 years old, of No. 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos on or about the 26th April, 2024, at the above named address, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did manufacture article of food to wit: Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and Lord’s Gin, under insanitary conditions and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.”
