NAFDAC ARRAIGNS TRADER OVER IMPORTATION OF FAKE SEASONINGS

A 41-year-old trader, Nnabueze Chibuike, on Wednesday, was arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State on two-court charges of alleged possession and importation of large quantities of Mivina Chicken seasonings.

The case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (Complainant) and Nnabueze Chibuike, as the Defendant came up for the first hearing, and has a suit No: FHC/B/195C/2022.

The accused was brought before Presiding Judge, Justice S.M Shuaibu and he pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge.

The count charges brought before the accused reads: “That you Nnabueze Chibuike, Male, Adult, 41 years old of No 20 Arondizugu Street Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, on or about the 11th day of November, 2022, at your factory, at No 22, Nekpen-Nekpen, Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court, was found in possession of unwholesome processed food to wit: Mivina chicken seasoning and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(a) of the counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome  Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN 2004 and punishable under section 3 of the same Act

“That you Nnabueze Chibuike, Male, Adult, 41 years old of No 20 Arondizugu street Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, on or about the 11th day of November 2022, at your factory at No 22, Nekpen-Nekpen, Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did import unregistered processed food to wit: Mivina Chicken seasoning, from Cotonou, Benin Republic and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1( 1) of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, E.T.C) ACT, Cap. F33. LFN.2004 and punishable under Section 6 of the same Act.

Counsel to the Defendant, Razak .O. Isenalumhe, pleaded with the presiding Judge to grant the client bail on the ground that he responded to the invitation by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) without being arrested.

While the Lawyer to NAFDAC, Okoli Chinyere said the accused should be kept in their custody till the next hearing.

Justice Shaibu in his ruling however fixed December 6, 2022, to hear the bail application and the defendant was remanded.in.police custody.

Head of NAFDAC, Benin, Mrs Esther Itua said the investigation showed that the product was warehoused in Benin, which prompted NAFDAC to send of a team to Benin.

She said, “In the warehouse, our team discovered not only Mivina chicken spices but other expired products were also found there including packaging materials as well as a production area.