A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided over by Justice Musa Kakaki has convicted and sentenced a Lagos trader, Elijah Chigbogu and two companies, Profile & Well Pharmaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited to a fine of N1.5 million over illegal possession of fake drugs, as well as distribution and importation of unregistered drugs.
Justice Kakaki convicted and sentennce Elijah Chigbogu and the two companies owned by him following the guilty plea to a four- count charge of unlawful possession, distribution and importation of unregistered drugs filed by counsel to the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Bartholomew Simon and argued by Anita Madu Esq.
NAFDAC, HAD arraigned Elijah Chigbogu and two companies, Profile & Well Phamaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited before Justice Musa Kakaki on four counts charge bothering on unlawful possession of fake drugs, importation of unregistered drugs and distribution of unregistered drugs.
According to the charge, the three defendants: Elijah Chigbogu and two companies, Profile & Well Phamaceutical Limited and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28″ day of July, 2025 were found in possession of fake drugs to wit: Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200mi Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan tmg Tablets, icorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyl ne 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets.
NAFDAC alleged that the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section I (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN,2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) of the same Act.
When the matter came up for arraignment, counsel for NAFDAC, Anita Madu told Justice Musa Kakaki that the the prosecution has a four-count charge and urged the court to make an order directing that the charges be read so that the defendants can take thier plea.
The charge was then read and the defendants pleaded guilty to the four counts charge.
Following the defendants plea of guilt, and the review of the plea bargain agreement, Kakaki convicted the defendants and sentenced the first defendant to a fine of N1.5milliom
The Charge against the defendant reads
COUNT 1
That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street, idumota, Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyoale Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28″ day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, were found in possession of fake drugs to wit:Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200mi Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan tmg Tablets, icorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyl ne 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets ans Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section t(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN,2004 and punishable under Section 3(1) of the same Act.
COUNT 2
That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street, idumota, Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyole Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28″ day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did display fake drugs for the purpose of sale to wit:Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200m] Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine SOmg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(b) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed
Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34 Section 3(1) of the same Act. LEN,2004 and punishable under
COUNT 3
That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Stre Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwaie Loyole Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28″ day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, imported unregistered drugs to wit: Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine 50mg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, ETC) Act, Cap. F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 6(1)(a) and 8 of the same Act.
COUNT 4
That you, Elijah Chigbogu, Male, 45 years of No. 58, Orisan Street, Idumota, Lagos, Prolife & Well Pharmaceutical Limited, of No. 58, Obun Eko Street, Idumota, Lagos Island, Lagos and God of Elijah Nigeria Limited, of No. 29, Oluwale Loyole Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, respectively, on or about the 28″ day of July, 2025, at the above-named addresses, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, distributed unregistered drugs to wit: – Zanza Cyprodine, Calpol 200ml Suspension, Zirtek Allergy Relief, Candesartan 4mg Tablets, Nicorette 4mg, Lisinopril 10mg Tablets, Canesten thrush 20mg, Anusol Ointment, Gaviscon Double Auction, Prolife Vitamin C, Gliclazide 80mg Tablets, Amitriptyline 25mg Tablets, Allopurinol 300mg Tablets, Levothyroxine SOmg Tablets and Dexazosin 2mg Tablets and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, ETC) Act, Cap. F33, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 6(1)(a) and 8 of the same Act.
