Lagos court convicts trader and two firms over unregistered drugs
A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted trader Elijah Chigbogu and two companies after they pleaded guilty to charges involving the possession, importation and distribution of drugs described by NAFDAC as fake and unregistered. Chigbogu was fined N1.5m following a plea bargain reviewed by the court.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a trader and two companies over the possession, importation and distribution of unregistered drugs, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Justice Musa Kakaki convicted Elijah Chigbogu, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited on Thursday after the defendants pleaded guilty to a four-count charge filed by NAFDAC. NAFDAC Director of Public Affairs Christy Obiazikwor said the prosecution alleged that the offences were committed on July 28, 2025, at the defendants’ business addresses in Idumota and Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
The charge listed several medicines that NAFDAC described as fake, including Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan tablets, Nicorette, Lisinopril, Canesten, Anusol, Gaviscon, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide, Amitriptyline, Allopurinol, Levothyroxine and Dexazosin. The prosecution, led by NAFDAC counsel Anita Madu, alleged that the defendants possessed the medicines, displayed them for sale, imported them without registration and distributed them in breach of Nigerian law. The offences were filed under provisions of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) Act.
After the charge was read, the defendants entered guilty pleas. Justice Kakaki subsequently reviewed the plea bargain agreement and convicted them. Chigbogu was sentenced to pay a fine of N1.5m.
The source material does not state the sentences imposed on the two companies.
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