By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday arraigned a businessman, Luke Mbah before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo of a Federal High Court in Lagos Nigeria on a four-count charge bordering on importation of prohibited drugs.
After listening to the charge preferred against him which borders on importation, possession, dealing and distribution of prohibited products, Mbah pleaded not guilty to all the counts.After his plea, the prosecutor Mr Umar Shamaki urged the court for a trial date, while asking that the defendants be remanded in custody pending trial.
Consequently, Justice Oguntoyibo, ordered the remand of the defendant in custody, and adjourned the case until April 5 and 12 for commencement of trial.
According to the charge, the defendant who lives at No 9, Ehi Street, Ijesha Lagos, committed the offences on December 16, 2018.
He was arrested in January by combined Forces of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food; the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC, the Police and the Nigerian Customs Service.
Mbah was alleged to have imported a 40-feet container load of Barcadin with Codeine Cough syrup, Afrodic Diclofenac Potassium Tablet of 50 mg, Feed-Fine Cyprohenptadine Caplet of 50 mg and De Really Extra Diclofenac Sodium tablet without registration.
The prosecution said that the street value of Codeine and other products seized from the defendant is valued at N311.7 millionAccording to the charge,the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap C34 Law of the Federation 2004.
It also contravenes the provisions of Sections 3 (1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products Act, Cap F35, Law of the Federation 2004.