The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control(NAFDA), today arraigned one Odiaka Gloria Ngozi (female) before the Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged illegal packaging and production of G&J Glucose D.
According to the agency, Odiaka Gloria Ngozi of number 10, Business Fakolujo Close, Off Abiola Street, Alapere , Ketu, Lagos State was alleged to have on March 20, 2018 packaged G&J Glucose D in a manner that is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5 of the Food and Drug Act CAP F 32, LFN 2004 and punishable under section 17 of the same Act.
While arraigning the defendant today, NAFDAC Prosecutor, Mr Umar Shamaki told Justice Muslim Hassan that the prosecution has a three count charge against the defendant and pleaded that the charge be read to the defendant so that she can take her plea.
The defendant counsel, Mr Hussain Mohammed did not, opposed to the count being read, consequently, Justice Hassan directed that the charge be read to the defendant.
Following the reading of the charge to the defendant and the not guilty plea of the defendant, the Prosecutor, Shamaki asked for a trial date and an order of the court directing the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending his trial.
The defendant’s lawyer, however, told the court that he has an application for the defendant’s bail and pleaded with the court that the bail application be heard.
In his response, Shamaki told Justice Hassan that he has just been served with the bail application and that he would need time to study and file his response to the application.
Consequently, Justice Hassan directed that trial be adjourned till December 17, 2018 for the bail application to be heard and to enable the prosecutor file their counter affidavit to the bail application.
Justice Hassan also ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody till the next adjourned date when the defendant’s bail application will be heard.
According to the charge read to the defendant, Count 1 of the charge reads, “That you Odiaka Gloria Ngozi (F) of 10, Bisi Fakolujo close, off Abiola Street, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, on or about 20th day of March, 2018, at 10, Bisi Fakolujo Close, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, did package, to wit: G&J Glucose D’, in manner that is False and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5 of the Foods and Drug Act CAP F32 LFN, 2004 and is punishable under Section 17 of the same Act.
Count 2 reads, “That you, Odiaka Gloria Ngozi (F) of 10, Bisi Fakolujo close, off Abiola Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court on or about the 20th day of March, 2018 at 10 Bisi Fakoloju close, off Abiola Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, did package, to wit: G&J Glucose D in a manner that is Misleading and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5 of the food and Drug Act CAP F32 LFN, 2004 and is punishable under Section 17 of the same Act.
Count 3 reads, “That you, Odiaka Gloria Ngozi (F) of 10, Bisi Fakolujo close, off Abiola Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honour on or about the 20th day of March, 2018 at 10 Bisi Fakolujo close, off Abiola Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State, did Manufacture unregistered processed Wit G&J Glucose D without registration and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 of food, Drugs, and Related Products (Registration etc) Act Cap F33 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under section 8(a) of the same Act. ) Ad CAP F33 LFN, 2004.
