By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka (Senior Correspondent)
The trial of a 72-year-old business woman Esther Olufumilayo Akinsanya resumed today (Thursday) before Justice Ayotunde Faji of the Federal High Court Lagos as the prosecution witness, Sergeant Inse Oyohosun testified to the court how the accused was caught repackaging unfortified Brazillian sugar into Dangote sugar bags.
Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Umaru Shamaki, the witness Sergeant Oyohosun who is attached to the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC) told the court that on August 2, 2017, while on special duty, inspected the woman’s warehouse and met a labourer, one Usman Mohammed rebagging the Brazillian unfortified sugars into Dangote Sugar bags for N30.00 par bag.
The witness testified that while the labourer was being interrogated, the accused woman joined them in the company of his sales clerk, Femi Adebiyi.
He further stated that upon searching the warehouse, he discovered that the labourer had rebagged about 150 bags, adding that several Dangote bags, weighing machine, a generating plant, sewing machine and threads were recovered.
All the recovered items were tendered as exhibits and admitted by the court.
However, counsel to the accused woman, Mr. Alex Nwokolo did not oppose the admissibility of the exhibits but opposed tendering the statement of the defendant as exhibit on the ground that it was not signed by his client.
Justice Faji said relevance is the basis of admitting statements and not signature.
Nwokolo however pleaded with the court for a short adjournment to enable him study the proof of evidence, before cross examining the witness.
Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Ayotunde Faji, adjourned the matter till February 28, for continuation of trial.
It would be recalled that the accused and her company Esther Olufumilayo Nigeria Limited were docked by NAFDAC on a six counts charge of importing unwholesome processed food, found in possession of same and packaging of unwholesome processed foods.
The accused was also alleged to be selling the unwholesome processed food items and without lawful authority brought into Nigeria varios brands of granulated Brazillian sugar which was not fortified with vitamin ‘A’, repackaging of unregistered Brazillian sugar as granulated sugar.
According to the Charge No FHC/L/293c/17, the accused allegedly committed the offence on August 2, 2017 at her company premises located at No 1 Tailor Road, Iddo Lagos.
Some of the unfortified Brazillian sugar allegedly repackaged into Dangote sugar bags by the accused are Aqucar Crystal Sugar, Aqucar Special Crystal Sugar and Usina Belavista Sugar. The offences allegedly committed by the accused are contrary to and punishable under Section 1(a), 5(a) and (b), 1(1) of the Food and Drugs Act Cap F 32 , LFN 2004. It is punishable under Section 3(1) (a) & (2), 6(1) & (2) and 8(1) & (2) of the same Act.
The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty and had been granted bail.