The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has remanded in prison, Kennedy Okereke, (aka Agama), who allegedly imported 49 different brands of fake drugs and products, estimated at N10billion.
Okereke was remanded alongside one Uchendu Oledibe, his alleged accomplice. The two accused persons allegedly committed the offence on March 2, 2015.
They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Yunusa on a12-count charge of importation, labeling and circulation of counterfeit and expired drugs.
Prosecuting counsel for National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Umar Shamaki, told the court that the offence contravened Section 1 (a) of the Counterfeit, Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He said the two accused persons were liable to be punished under Section 3 (1) (a) of the law.
According to the charges, the accused persons allegedly operated in five places in Lagos, from where they labeled and circulated the counterfeit and expired drugs to innocent or unsuspecting consumers.
They pleaded not guilty.
The agency, however, listed among various other counterfeited proprietary brands of drugs allegedly imported and labeled by the accused persons to include, Tarivid 200mg tablet; Augmentin 625mg tablet; Proviron tablet; Novasc 10mg tablet; Glucophage 500mg tablet; Cotecxin tablet; Rectin – A Cream; Regroton tablet; Clomid tablet; Loratyn-10 tablet and Cytotec-200mg tablet.
Also listed were Lexotan tablet, Tegretol tablet, Nizoral 200mg tablet; Analgin injection; Vitalas Tetanus injection; Viagra 100mg tablet among several others.
Shamaki said the accused allegedly loaded the products into a container.
Mr. Shamaki told the court: “My Lord, in view of the not guilty plea of the accused persons, may I humbly ask for a day for trial. But before then, My Lord, may I ask the court for an order remanding the accused persons in prison custody pending trial.”
But the defence counsel, Mr. Michael Imonah, rejected the prosecution’s prayer to remand his clients in prison custody, saying he had already filed bail applications and served the processes on the prosecutor.
Justice Yunusa ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the hearing of application for bail till today.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has remanded in prison, Kennedy Okereke, (aka Agama), who allegedly imported 49 different brands of fake drugs and products, estimated at N10billion