The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday arraigned a trader, Chinedu Okafor, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly producing fake Schnapps and some fruit juice/wines.
The 40-year-old trader was docked before the court on an eight-count charge bordering on manufacturing, dealing, selling, distributing and having unwholesome processed food of the above-listed drinks in his possession.
The counsel to NAFDAC, Ahmed Ali informed the trial judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, that Okafor was arrested on April 26 at his residence in Badagry, Lagos, where he allegedly produced and processed ‘Apple Multifruit Juice Wine,’ ‘Eagle Aromatic Schnapps’ and ‘Lord’s Gin.’
Ali said the defendant’s alleged illegal acts contravened section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome, Processed’ Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act. Sections 1(1) and 1(3) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.
The defendant, who was not represented by any lawyer, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the conclusion of the trial.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa, while conceding to the prosecutor’s request, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Lagos facility of the NCoS while adjourning the matter to July 10 for the commencement of trial.