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NAFDAC seals fake drug shop in Idumota, Lagos

Published

1 month ago

February 12, 2025

NAFDAC seals fake drug shop in Idumota, Lagos

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday, sealed the popular Idumota drugs market, in Lagos, as part of its nationwide operation to combat the distribution of counterfeit medicines across the country.

Addressing journalists during the operation in Lagos, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, said: “The essence of the operation is to ensure that when we take medicines, they work. When a child is given medicine, that child doesn’t die because there is nothing inside that medicine.”

She said the essence was to control unwholesome products or those not approved.

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“We have over 50,000 shops operating in open markets, which is not supposed to be so.”

Speaking, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Shaba Mohammed, emphasised the urgency of the operation.

He stated that these markets serve as the primary distribution hubs for over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s drug needs.

“These markets are not just places of trade, they are places where lives are at stake. Today’s operation aims to ensure that the medicines sold in these markets are not only approved but effective and safe for use.”

The operation, which involved military personnel, the police, and representatives from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, targeted the substantial stock of counterfeit and unapproved medical products flooding the Nigerian market.

Corroborating the views of the Director General, he said: “The goal is to remove these harmful products and protect consumers from potentially deadly treatments.”

Mohammed stressed the importance of controlling the sale of medicines in the country, saying, “The essence of this operation is to ensure that when we take medicine, the medicine works. If a child is given medicine, it should not lead to death because there is nothing inside that medicine.

“This initiative follows numerous reports of deaths linked to substandard drugs in the country, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and those suffering from chronic conditions like hypertension.

“If you are taking medicine for hypertension, that medicine should regulate your blood pressure and not kill you. But bad medicine will not only fail to help, it will harm. And many have already died because of this.”

He said the operation was part of NAFDAC’s broader effort to regulate the sale of medicines, and “is also focused on closing down illegal open drug markets.”

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Speaking to journalists on the ongoing NAFDAC operations, the Chairman of the Lagos State Medicines Association, Mr. Innocent Ezennaya, said the operations were aimed at eliminating counterfeit drugs from their environment.

Ezennaya said: “The shops are being closed one after the other, so that NAFDAC can ensure that every single shop is visited and inspected. If they find anything irregular, they take it, but if they don’t find anything, they will continue with their work. At the end of the exercise, only shops that comply with the regulations will be allowed to reopen.”

Further, he said: “We have a task force that goes around our members’ shops to check the products regularly, and when we find any issues, we immediately involve NAFDAC. We have documented instances where we reported unapproved drugs to NAFDAC.

“If the markets are closed for just one week, some hospitals and health facilities may run out of essential medicines. This place is a major supplier of genuine drugs for hospitals and pharmacies,” he added.

He also urged NAFDAC to expedite the process, understanding that prolonged closures could negatively impact sales and medical supplies across the region.

He identified the ports and airports as key areas of concern, saying that many counterfeit drugs enter the country through these channels despite efforts to control them.

“Some of these unregistered drugs come into the nation through our borders, airports, and seaports. This is where we need more control. Without blocking the source, our efforts will continue to be undermined,” he said.

The Lagos Medicine Association leader also provided insight into the nature of the counterfeit drugs being seized. “Some of the products confiscated have been found to violate NAFDAC’s regulations, like the use of unauthorised pictures on the packaging. NAFDAC is working to enforce compliance and removal of these non-compliant products from circulation.”

NAFDAC seals fake drug shop in Idumota, Lagos

Related Topics:fake drug Idumota Lagos NAFDAC

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We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.

Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.

In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.

“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”

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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.

He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.

“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

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EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.

The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.

At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.

There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.

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Consequently, the court granted the request.

The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.

In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”

The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.

Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.

Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.

The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

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Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

Published

9 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.

The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.

It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.

According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.

The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”

“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.

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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.

It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.

“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.

“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.