Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have arrested two suspects in connection with food fraud, distribution and sales of unregistered energy drink and counterfeit medicines.
According to the Director General, NAFDAC Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, while parading the suspects during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, the arrest is a part of the agency’s efforts to curb food fraud and other food-related crimes.
She said the suspects were nabbed by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Asaba, Delta state on a case of importation, distribution and sale of unregistered and expired G-Man organic energy drink, counterfeit medicines and narcotic drugs.
“One Mr Okeke Udeze Francis of No 28 Otigba Crescent, G.R.A Onitsha, Anambra state was arrested with expired G-Man organic energy drink in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Further investigation led to a warehouse in Aba, Abia State where evidence of revalidation of the expiry date of the drink was established.
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“The case was subsequently transferred to the office of the Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Lagos where Mr Okeke admitted to dealing with the product (G-Man energy drink) and he stated that he got the product from one Mr Uchenna Nwachi through one Mr Collins in Aba, Abia state.
“Following this revelation, the investigation was intensified to get the other suspects arrested. Further investigation revealed that the violative G-Man energy drink was manufactured in Germany and was imported into Nigeria when some of the products were already expired, and some were close to expiry (and later expired after importation).
“The expiry dates on the products when imported were 18/12/2020 and 18/12/2022.
The violative products were sent to Nigeria by one, Mr Paschal Emeka Udo, who is said to be based in the United Kingdom.”
The DG further said one Wilson John, an accomplice in the case was fished out and arrested by officials of NAFDAC.
She said NAFDAC extracted a video recording of him cleaning the original date markings on the products with the intent to affix an extended date marking on the G-Man energy drink.
“Mr Nwachi, who contracted out the revalidation of the product to Mr Wilson (staff of the importer), was also arrested and in custody. Two of the suspects, including the importer of the products, are still at large and efforts are still on to arrest them. The suspects in custody will be charged to court,” she said.