The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has brought two individuals before a Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, to face charges related to the sale and distribution of fake and substandard drugs.
The defendants, identified as Emmanuel Ejidike, 49, of Tommaj Investment Limited, Bridge Head, Onitsha, and Anayo Okoye, 42, of number 26A Vital Line Bridge Head, Onitsha, were arraigned on a five-count charge. Both Ejidike and Okoye are facing charges for the sale, distribution, possession, and display of unregistered drugs.
Following the reading of the charges to the defendants, both pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them. In response, the defense counsel, Ndubisi Okechukwu, applied for bail on behalf of the accused, an application that was met with objection from the prosecuting counsel, Barr. Jumbo Washington, who called for their remand in a correctional centre.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, Justice F.O Riman, the presiding judge, opted to grant the defendants bail, setting it at the sum of N5 million each, along with a surety each. As part of the bail conditions, he stipulated that the surety must provide an affidavit of means and demonstrate evidence of three years’ worth of tax clearance.
The court adjourned the case, setting the hearing for Ejidike’s matter for July 5, and for Okoye’s matter for July 11.
