A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted Lagos-based trader, Elijah Chigbogu, and two companies linked to him, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, over offences involving the unlawful possession and distribution of fake and unregistered drugs.
The defendants were arraigned by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) before Justice Musa Kakaki on a four-count charge bordering on the unlawful possession, display for sale, importation and distribution of fake and unregistered drugs.
The offences were allegedly committed on or about July 28, 2025, at the defendants’ business premises located at No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, and No. 29, Oluwale Loyole Street, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.
The drugs recovered from the defendants’ premises and found to have been offered for sale included medicines used in the treatment and management of allergies, hypertension, diabetes, pain and other health conditions.
During proceedings on Friday, all three defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. The court subsequently considered the plea bargain agreement reached in the matter alongside the defendants’ guilty pleas before delivering its judgment.
Following the review, Justice Kakaki convicted the three defendants, while Chigbogu, the first defendant, was sentenced to pay a fine of ₦1.5 million.
NAFDAC stressed that the conviction underscores its continued enforcement efforts against individuals and businesses involved in the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of fake, unregistered and substandard regulated products.
The agency reaffirmed that it would continue to investigate and prosecute persons found to be involved in activities capable of endangering public health, stressing that offenders would be made to face the full weight of the law.