NAFDAC arraigns Duru Ndukwe, others over alleged fake drugs importation

By Akin Kuponiyi

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned the Chairman of Sabon Gari Patent & Proprietary Medicine Dealers Association, Kano, Valentine Duru Ndukwe, before a Federal high court in Lagos on Tuesday over the alleged importation of fake drugs.

Also arraigned alongside the defendant are Bernard Chinweuba, Duru Valentine Chinwike and a limited liability company, Vanchris Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited.

When the amended charge was read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty, thereafter, their counsel applied for bail.

The NAFDAC prosecuting counsel Barrister Barth Simon did not oppose their bail, rather he told the court to give conditions that will compel the defendants to attend their trial.

In his ruling for bail the presiding Judge Ayokunle Faji admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N7million with two sureties each, in which one of the sureties will be a property owner within the jurisdiction of the Court. The two sureties must also file their affidavit of means before the court.

Thereafter, Justice Faji adjourned till 27 June 2023 for trial.

The two-count charge as filed before the court by the NAFDAC prosecutor, Barrister Barth Simon stated as follows:

COUNT 1

That you, Vanchris Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Limited located in Kano, Duru Valentine Chinwike, Male, Adult, 30 Years old, of Fountain Estate off, Airport Road, Kano State and Valentine Duru Ndukwe (Chairman of Sabon gari Patent & Proprietary Medicine Dealers Association, Kano), Male, Adult, 58 Years old of No 54, Yoruba Road, Sabon Gari, Kano, on or about the 8th day of September 2022, at No. 9 Olorogun Street, Idumota, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did aid one Mr Bernard Chinweuba, Male, Adult, 47 years old, of D330, Sabon Gari Market, Kano/ No 1. Enugu Road, Sabon Gari, Kano, to import fake drugs to wit:

Diclofenac Tablets BP 50mg (Diclosa 50); Coldtime Anti-cold Tablets; Sonidrex Tablets, 50mg; Collcap (Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules BP 4mg), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.

COUNT 2

That you, Bernard Chinweuba, Male, Adult, 47 years old, of D330, Sabon Gari Market, Kano/ No 1. Enugu Road, Sabon Gari, Kano, on or about the 8th day of September,22, at No 9 Olorogun Street, Idumota, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did import unregistered drugs, to wit:

Tablets, Diclofenac Tablets BP 50mg(Diclosa 50); Coldtime Anti-cold Tablets; Sonidex Tablets,50mg and Collcap (Chlorpheniramine Maleate Capsules BP 4mg), 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 of the same Act.