Group Slams NAFDAC N100m Lawsuit Over Onitsha Market Raid

The United Nigeria Group (UNG) has filed a N100 million lawsuit against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over the closure of the Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market, known for selling pharmaceutical goods. The group, claiming a violation of its members’ human rights, is challenging the agency’s actions in the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State.

The lawsuit follows a February 10 raid by NAFDAC officers, who, without a court order or search warrant, confiscated goods worth an estimated N500 billion from over 2,000 traders’ shops. UNG argues that not all traders in the market deal in counterfeit goods and that the drugs undergo inspection by Customs and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) before reaching Onitsha.

ALSO READ: Oborevwori to Build Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Kwale

Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, February 26, Peter Okala, the National Convener of UNG, stated that the organisation had taken the matter to court to defend the fundamental rights of its members.

Okala, called the raid unlawful, “We are challenging NAFDAC’s activities at Ogbo Ogwu because they infringed on their fundamental human rights,” asserting that NAFDAC’s actions infringed on the traders’ rights.

He added that the goods seized were mostly imported from Europe and America, questioning why they were not intercepted at the border by customs or security agencies.

“About 90 percent of the drugs and beverages confiscated by NAFDAC in this operation at Ogbo Ogwu Market, Niger Bridge Head, Onitsha, without any valid court order, were not made in Nigeria; they were all imported from Europe and America.

“Where were NAFDAC, Customs, Immigration, the Army, and other security agencies when these goods passed through our country’s borders into Nigerian markets without detection or seizure from the importers?”

The group seeks the return of confiscated goods and N100 million in damages, while requesting the court to prevent further raids.