Trader sues NAFDAC over Onitsha shop invasion – Newstrends
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Trader sues NAFDAC over Onitsha shop invasion

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1 month ago

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NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

Trader sues NAFDAC over Onitsha shop invasion

Sophie Okoye, a female clothing dealer at Ogbo-Ogwu Bridgehead Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, has filed a legal suit against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC and its Director-General at the Federal High Court, Awka.

Okoye said that despite the fact that her store only sells clothing, watches, and fashion accessories and has no relation to the pharmaceutical industry, it was targeted in a broad enforcement action purportedly carried out by a combined task force acting under NAFDAC jurisdiction.

The aggrieved trader filed the lawsuit after the statutory term specified in the pre-action notice placed on NAFDAC had expired.

According to court documents obtained by our reporter on Friday, the case is between Sophie Eberechukwu Okoye as plaintiff and NAFDAC and its DG as defendants in Suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/162/25, which was filed at the Federal High Court in Awka.

The offended merchant is suing the regulatory body for unlawfully entering into her shop and/or carting away her goods worth more than N15 million, claiming that her commodities have nothing to do with medications, food, or chemicals.

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Among other declarations by the plaintiff are: “That the defendants have no power in the administration, management, and control of food and drugs to oppressively, unlawfully and unconstitutionally break into the shop of the plaintiff and loot/cart away the plaintiff’s items that are not affiliated whatsoever with drugs, food or chemicals.

“That the defendant’s unlawful seizure and/or carting away of the plaintiff’s goods as listed with their value and quantity is not only oppressive and unreasonable but also unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional.

“An order of the honourable court directing the defendants to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N15,746.00, being the monetary value of the items carted away from the plaintiff’s shop by the defendants.”

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel for the plaintiff, stated that the suit was filed after the statutory period outlined in the pre-action notice served on NAFDAC expired.

Ejiofor stated that legal action against the regulatory agency would be initiated immediately after the notice period expired.

He said, “In every just and democratic society, the rule of law is sacrosanct.

“No agency, regardless of its mandate, has the right to operate beyond the legal boundaries that define its existence.

“The recent developments at Ogbo-Ogwu Bridgehead Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, are a shameful testament to the dangers of institutional overreach and the betrayal of fundamental legal principles.

“The now widely circulated footage of Sophie Okoye, a young trader reduced to tears after her shop was unlawfully broken into and looted, has shocked the conscience of the nation.

“Her store, which deals exclusively in clothing, watches, and fashion accessories, has no connection whatsoever to the pharmaceutical trade.

“Nevertheless, it was targeted in a sweeping operation allegedly executed by a joint task force acting under NAFDAC’s authority.”

He did, however, urge both the Federal Government and the Government of Anambra State to promptly establish an impartial investigation team to examine the entire operation, identify all those culpable, and ensure they are brought to justice.

“While we unequivocally support NAFDAC’s statutory mandate to rid markets of counterfeit and substandard drugs, no mission, however noble, can justify the trampling of innocent citizens’ rights or the destruction of lawful businesses.”

Ejiofor mentioned that justice must never become collateral damage.

He pledged that neither he nor his client would be silenced or back down.

“Justice must be done and must be seen to be done,” Ejiofor added.

Trader sues NAFDAC over Onitsha shop invasion

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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July 9, 2025

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

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“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

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Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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