Court remands fake Cough Syrup producer in prison

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, remanded a businessman, Kenneth Chibuko Chinwoke for allegedly producing fake codeine cough syrup in Prison custody following his arraignment by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

A statement signed by Anslem Okonkwor, Public Relations Unit, NAFDAC, said that the suspect was arraigned before Justice Jude kanyioh Dagat.

The prosecuting counsel, Umar Shamaki informed the court that the accused imported the fake product. The charge was read to him and he was asked to take his plea. But, the suspect pleaded not guilty.


The charge reads: “That you Kenneth Chibuko Chiokwe, male of No 5, Laniyo, Idi Oro Mushin Lagos, imported fake drug codeine cough syrup, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(a) of the counterfeit and fake Drug and unwholesome processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C34 LFN2004 and punishable under section 3(1)(a) of the same Act.”

Shamaki told the court that the accused committed the offence at Church street Idumota, Lagos state within the jurisdiction of the court.

Subsequently, the defence counsel, Chukwudi Nneke filed a bail application and urged the court to admit the accused to bail because the offence was a bailable one.

He stressed that the accused is having credible surety that can stand for him.

The prosecution did not oppose to the bail application but prayed the court to give him stringent conditions that will ensure that the accused stand his trial.

After listening to counsel on both sides, Justice Dagat admitted the accused to bail in the sum of one million naira and two sureties in like sum. He said one of the surety must be the relative of the accused and second one a landed property owner within the jurisdiction of the court with evident of three years tax clearance and that the prosecution will verify the conditions.

The judge therefore ordered his remand until his bail conditions were perfected and adjourned to April 5, 2016 for trial.


This story was published in Newswatch Times on January 21, 2016.

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