A 40-year-old businessman, Chinedu Okafor, was arraigned by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control on Friday before the Federal High Court in Lagos. He is accused of producing fake aromatic schnapps and fruit juice wines.
Okafor, who owns the firm ‘Sky Blue Company’, is facing an eight-count charge bordering on manufacturing, dealing, selling distributing, and having unwholesome processed food.
Prosecution counsel A. Ali informed the court that Okafor was arrested on April 26 at his residence on 4, 1st MTN Road, Badagry, Lagos State. There, he was allegedly producing and processing Apple Multi Fruit Juice Wine, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps, and Lord’s Gin.
Ali also accused Okafor of distributing these unwholesome processed foods without proper registration. The charges include violations of Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs Unwholesome Processed Foods Act and are punishable under Sections 3, 1(1), 1(3), and 17(1) of the Food and Drugs Act, 2004.
The defendant, unrepresented by a lawyer, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, the prosecutor requested a trial date and urged the court to remand Okafor to the correctional centre until the charges are resolved.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ordered the defendant to be remanded at the correctional centre and adjourned the matter to July 10, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.