NAFDAC arrests importer of fake insecticides worth N50m in Lagos
Angela Onwuzoo
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says it has re-arrested a man identified as Mr. Obumneme Okpala a.k.a Okanu, for importing fake and unwholesome insecticides from China into the Nigerian market valued over N50m.
Okpala who was earlier arrested for same offence in 2015, was apprehended at Block 188, Plot 2054 Amuwo Odofin in Lagos State by 3.00am on 13th October 2017, by a team of NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement officers through the whistle blowing policy of the government.
Parading the suspect during a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, Acting Director-General of NAFDAC,Mr. Ademola Mogbojuri,said the whole facility was scrutinized and it was discovered that several cartons of Kilit Insecticide and Read- A- Dream Insecticide were stacked in the main building while the boy’s quarters was stacked with several cartons of Royal Dream Insecticide.
According to him, for about two years now, NAFDAC has been on the trail of this importer of fake, adulterated and unwholesome insecticides into the market.
His words:” Our records reveal that Mr. Okpala is a recalcitrant offender. In 2015, he imported fake and unwholesome 1x40ft container of Kilit Insecticide through Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The product was forfeited for destruction. He then wrote a Notarized undertaking that he would not engage in the importation and distribution of fake, unwholesome and adulterated NAFDAC regulated products again. But to our utomost surprise,Okpala has not changed from his bad ways but has only changed tactics.”
Mogbojuri noted that items recovered from the suspect which he said would be charged to court included 1539 cartons of Royal Dream and 52 Cartons of Kilit Insecticides,adding that they have been evacuated to the agency’s warehouse in Oshodi.
” It is instructive to note that the street value of the items evacuated is above N50m and the products were imported from China. We shall be coordinating with our international partners to reach the manufacturers of the products in China for proper sanctions”, he added.
Giving insight into the re-arrest of Okpala, Mogbojuri explained: “On the night of October 13, 2017, an informant revealed to NAFDAC Enforcement officers that the same facility previously placed on Hold had been broken into by the suspect at exactly 9.00pm; NAFDAC team of investigators with the officers and men of Nigeria police force were swiftly dispatched to the facility.”
He went on: “On Monday October 16,2017, intelligence report revealed that the suspect moved the products to 6th Avenue, 67, Cavera 181 road, Festac Town, Lagos State. NAFDAC detectives tracked and traced the products through surveillance to the facility.
“Additional 333 Cartons of Read-A-Dream and 281 cartons of Kilit Insecticides at the facility were all evacuated to our ware house in Oshodi. We found also some unused labels for the counterfeited products and Rambo Insecticides.”
The Acting Director-General,re-assured the general public of the resolve of the agency to sustain the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers of NAFDAC regulated products.
He also appealed to members of the public to report any suspicious activity relating to regulated products around their environment to the Investigation and Enforcement Office at 10/15 Mobil Road, Apapa or the nearest NAFDAC office.
