By Wellington Jopelo
Justice Ambeose Lewis-Alagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos has sentenced 40-year-old Chinedu Okafor to five years imprisonment for illegal possession and manufacture of fake Apple Multifruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps, and Lord’s Gin. The offence violated Sections 1(a) and 3(1)(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004.
The convict pleaded guilty to all five counts when the charges were read in court. The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) presented evidence and items recovered from the defendant, urging the court to convict him.
Justice Alagoa granted an option to pay N50 million in lieu of imprisonment. The sentence includes a five-year term for each count or N10 million fine per count, with both imprisonment and fines to run concurrently. The court also ordered that all offending products be forfeited to NAFDAC for destruction after the appeal period expires.
Chinedu Okafor was found guilty of unlawfully possessing, manufacturing, distributing, and producing unwholesome and unregistered food products under insanitary conditions at his Badagry, Lagos address. The ruling highlights the enforcement of laws against counterfeit and unsafe food and drink products, reinforcing public safety standards.