Health

NAFDAC uncovers syndicate scamming foreign firms with fake documents

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2025

NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC uncovers syndicate scamming foreign firms with fake documents

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a fraudulent syndicate impersonating the agency to scam foreign companies using fake documents.

The agency announced the discovery in a statement by Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye FAS, its Director General, following a petition from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, which fell victim to the scam.

It was revealed that the syndicate is being led by one Ikoro Mang Ifendu who was arrested on February 7, 2025, in Aba, Abia State for allegedly defrauding foreign firms by posing as a NAFDAC official.

“Mr. Ikoro Mang Ifendu of 26, Park Road, Aba Abia State, born on the 2nd of January, 1973, was arrested on the 7th of February 2025 at Ogborn Hills, Aba, Abia State in a case of alleged fraud and obtaining huge funds by false pretence from unsuspecting foreigners that cuts across various countries as a NAFDAC Staff. He is a native of Amamba Village, Abiriba in Ohafia LGA, Abia State. His level of education is SSCE and he deals in clothing materials. The suspect is in our custody and is cooperating with the investigation,” the agency stated.

How the syndicate operated

NAFDAC disclosed that the syndicate used a sophisticated three-pronged scheme involving a buyer, a bank, and a lawyer. First, a buyer would contact foreign firms to purchase goods for importation into Nigeria.

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The company would then be introduced to a bank, where they were informed that NAFDAC approval was required for transactions. A lawyer would subsequently be introduced, claiming to facilitate NAFDAC certification for a fee. Fraudulent receipts and counterfeit NAFDAC certificates were issued to victims.

The fraudulent operation extended across multiple banks and accounts. Investigations revealed that the group managed 15 domiciliary and 5 local accounts in seven Nigerian banks, with an inflow of over $950,000 into Nigerian accounts and $450,000 into offshore accounts in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Even after Ifendu’s arrest, foreign victims continued to send money, with a recent alert of $75,000 received in one of the accounts.

Fake documents used in the scam

The documents used to deceive foreign companies included:

A counterfeit Certificate of Registration for Dried Fish (Seafood) under the NAFDAC Registration No. A2-7059, issued to Thani Almaeeni Trading Group.
Fake revenue receipts, including a N6,687,000 receipt dated November 28, 2024, and another N20,900,000 receipt dated December 13, 2024.
A forged processing requirement document for $13,785, purportedly signed by a former NAFDAC director who retired a year earlier.
Fraudulent Swift Advice copies, including a $1,990 transaction to Rosemary Obosi and a $3,000 transaction to Ifendu.
A telegraphic transfer record showing USD 132,972.84 sent to Citycode Savings & Loans, Lagos, on December 24, 2024.

The fraudsters also used letterheads falsely to identify themselves as HALI & CO Chambers, operated by Ifendu and Obosi.

Foreign companies affected

Aside from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, other victims identified include
Japan Long Tie (China) Co. Ltd, Jinan, China (importation of condoms
BEYOND-Korea, USA
Aquaforest SP, Poland (drinks and vegetable oil registration)
Nomea srl, Italy
Tianyan Filter Cloth Co. Ltd, China
Siam Canadian China Ltd, China (frozen onion spices)

Case transferred to EFCC

Following NAFDAC’s findings, the case will be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. The probe will extend beyond NAFDAC-regulated products to track assets acquired through fraudulent activities.

“This investigation will invoke POCA [Proceeds of Crime Act] on all the assets illegally acquired in the course of these fraudulent activities,” NAFDAC stated.

NAFDAC has warned businesses against engaging consulting firms claiming to facilitate product registrations.

The agency advised firms to verify all NAFDAC-related registrations through its official portal: https://registration.nafdac.gov.ng/

NAFDAC uncovers syndicate scamming foreign firms with fake documents

Related Topics:fake documents NAFDAC syndicate

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Ekiti College of Nursing, parents at war over increase in hostel fee

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2025

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Ekiti College of Nursing, parents at war over increase in hostel fee

The parents’ body of students of Ekiti State College of Nursing Sciences, Ado Ekiti has appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the state House of Assembly, and the commissioners for education and health to intervene in its stalled negotiation with the management of the college over the astronomical fees charged by a private estate developer, BVERS Hostel and Suites.

In the petition obtained by Sunday Vanguard, the parents stated: “We, as the parents’ body of the above College, use this medium to register our ordeal with the management of the college and a private developer over exorbitant charge of N250,000 per bed space.

“Sir, permit us to inform you that a bed space was charged at N40,000 in the year 2022 when our children were offered admission into the college, but this amount was increased to N100,000 per bed space when the students resumed. It took several negotiations before we were given a few months’ grace to pay for the additional N60,000 to make up for the increment.

“We were surprised to receive an urgent call in September this year from our children that they have been moved to a new hostel within the college and with instructions by the college management that a bed space will now cost N280, 000.
“However, the amount was merely reduced to N250, 000 per bed space after several engagements with the College Management to register our objections to the obnoxious increment. Further several appeals for reduction of the accommodation fee by the college management are unyielding and have eventually forced us to appeal to you as the father of the State to come to our aid and mediate on this issue and review as follows:

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“The hostel, as designed, is only suitable for a student; after a careful review of the prevailing circumstances in and around Ekiti State, a charge of N250,000 per student space is outrageous and unsustainable.
“Considering the health and well-being of our children, it will be hazardous to allocate four students to a room originally designed to accommodate a student.

“That we seek your fatherly intervention to instruct the management of the college to accept our proposal of a charge of N150, 000 per bed space and allocate a maximum of two students to a room.
“We equally wish to appeal to His Excellency to intervene in the proposed increment of the college fees beyond common man. “Sir, we have no doubt in your government’s prioritization of the welfare of students and ensuring that their rights and interests are well protected at all times. We believe that you are against anything that will undermine the core principles of accessibility and affordability to education, which are crucial for factoring socio-economic growth in our state and the nation at large.”

When this correspondent sought the reaction of the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Professor Kayode Olabanji, he said he intervened when the parents brought the matter to his attention and that was why the initial fee of N280k was negotiated down to N250k and then N230,000.
“However, it was when we negotiated it down to N250k that the parents decided to take the matter to the Office of the Governor and the House of Assembly. So, since the matter is now at the higher office, and a panel has been set up, we have to wait government pronouncement on the matter,” Prof Olabanji said.
Many of the parents, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said they don’t mind paying the N230,000, but the rooms should be of modern standards that would cater to the number of available students.

Ekiti College of Nursing, parents at war over increase in hostel fee

Health

UI management raises alarm over female students turning egg donation into source of income

Published

7 days ago

April 19, 2025

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University of Ibadan

UI management raises alarm over female students turning egg donation into source of income

The University of Ibadan (UI) has raised concerns over the growing trend of female students donating eggs for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), with some reportedly turning it into a regular source of income.

The University Health Service (UHS) issued a memo, titled ‘Health Advisory on Egg Donation,’ signed by Dr. Aderonke Ajav, highlighting the issue.

University spokesperson, Joke Akinpelu, confirmed that the memo was published in the university’s bulletin.

The management has expressed alarm at the increasing number of female students involved in egg donation, urging them not to view it as a financial opportunity.

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“It has come to our attention that there is a growing trend within the university community involving the participation and/or recruitment of female students as egg donors for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) by individuals, agents or agencies,” the memo read.

“While egg donation has brought hope to many families struggling with infertility, it is important to note that it should not be considered a permanent source of income or an alternative side hustle.”

The institution acknowledged that current research has yet to provide clear conclusions on who is medically fit to donate, the safe frequency of donations, and the optimal interval between them.

As a result, the memo advised students to limit donations to no more than three times a year and to select reputable clinics that follow established guidelines and prioritize the safety of donors.

UI management raises alarm over female students turning egg donation into source of income

Health

FG begins free Cesarian Sessions in over 100 hospitals (See list)

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2025

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FG begins free Cesarian Sessions in over 100 hospitals (See list)

The Federal Government has begun offering free Caesarean Section (CS) procedures in more than 100 hospitals across Nigeria, according to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

NHIA Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, announced the development in Abuja, explaining that the initiative falls under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) Programme.

He noted that the scheme is operational across federal, state, private, and faith-based medical facilities located in all six geopolitical zones of the country.

According to Ohiri, women in need of assistance only need to provide a National Identification Number (NIN), which may be presented either before or after hospital admission.

He clarified that the determination of eligibility lies with the hospital’s social welfare department, which assesses patients’ financial situations.

“Once assessed, eligible women receive the CS at no cost and are automatically enrolled into a health insurance plan under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), managed at the state level,” he disclosed.

Dr. Ohiri emphasized the collaborative nature of the effort, which involves both public and private sector healthcare providers with the goal of tackling maternal mortality.

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“The nationwide coverage is across key health institutions,” the NHIA boss stated.
He listed major beneficiaries in the North-West region to include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano; Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital and Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital in Sokoto. Others are Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital and several General Hospitals in Zamfara and Kebbi states.

In the North-East, the program covers Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe; University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare; Federal Medical Centres in Nguru and Jalingo; and Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital in Yola.

North-Central institutions include Federal Medical Centres in Bida and Keffi; University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada; and General Hospitals in Suleja, Mokwa, and Tunga Magajiya.

For the South-West, beneficiaries include Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Ido-Ekiti, State Hospital Abeokuta, State Specialist Hospital Okitipupa, and Oba Ademola Maternity Hospital in Ijemo.

In the South-South region, the list includes University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, and University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

He stated that the South-East had the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; David Umahi University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi; NOFIC Abakaliki, Ebonyi, among others.

Faith-based and private hospitals are also included in the initiative, among them St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna, St. Patrick Hospital in Abakaliki, Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, and Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital in Kafanchan.

Ohiri revealed that more than 200 additional facilities are currently undergoing assessment for inclusion, which could significantly broaden the program’s reach.

“This initiative is a critical part of the government’s commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths.The free CS services are not limited to federal facilities; state-owned, private, and mission hospitals have been engaged to reach as many women as possible,” he noted.

He further explained that there is no formal enrollment process to benefit from the coverage.

“As long as a woman presents her NIN and is evaluated by the hospital’s social welfare unit as financially incapable, the surgery will be offered free of charge,” he said.

Ohiri urged the public to spread awareness about the program, particularly in underserved communities where the cost of delivery can be a major obstacle.