NAFDAC arraigns alleged Alomo Bitter counterfeiter

The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned a businessman, Magnus Onyenkwu, who allegedly produced fake Alomo Bitters before a Federal High Court, Lagos.

Onyenkwu, who resides at No 27 Toyin St., Oke, Ibadan, Oyo State, is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on unlawful production and distriburtion of unwholesome processed food.

The Prosecutor, Mr Barthlome Simon, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offences sometime in January, at his residence.

He said that the accused unlawfully produced, packaged, falsely labelled, distributed and sold to the public a Kasapreko Alomo Bitters, an unwholesome food product.

Simon alleged that the offences contravened Sections 1 (a), 5 (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act Cap C34, Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Sections 3 (1) (a) and 17 of same Act. The accused pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, however, urged the court to remand the accused to prison custody pending trial. “In view of the plea of the accused, I urge the court to remand the accused to prison custody pending the trial date,” Simon said.

Counsel to the Accused, Mr Olusegun Akanbi, urged the court to allow him make an oral application for bail. But Justice Mohammed Yunusa, in his ruling said he preferred such an application to be made formally.

He, however, remanded the accused to prison custody and adjourned the case to August 20, for hearing on bail application.