Fake drugs: Anambra traders sue NAFDAC over market invasion

Four traders from Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have taken legal action against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and two officials, alleging unlawful interference in their fundamental human rights.

The traders, Peter Okala, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, Prof. Samuel Anidike, and C.C. Emereonwu, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Awka, seeking judicial intervention to halt what they describe as arbitrary actions by the agencies. They are also members of the United Nigeria Group.

Through their counsel, Chibuike Nwabueze, the applicants claim that not all traders in the market are involved in counterfeit drug dealings, contrary to NAFDAC’s allegations.

Read also: Real story behind Nigeria’s drug market raid

In suit No PHC/AWK/CS/40/2025, the traders are requesting the court to issue an order restraining the respondents and their operatives from further breaking into their shops without a valid court order or search warrant.

They also seek an injunction preventing the confiscation of their goods and a demand for N100 million in damages, N50 million as exemplary damages and another N50 million as general damages.

Before taking legal action, the traders held a press conference condemning what they described as the “sudden invasion and sealing of the market without prior notice” by NAFDAC. They labeled the act as “barbaric” and a violation of their fundamental rights.

They further claimed to have incurred over N200 million in losses due to the market shutdown, which has lasted for over 10 days.

“We have been rendered jobless and left to go hungry,” they lamented.

The traders also alleged that NAFDAC carted away goods worth N500 billion during the raid, which was carried out with the support of heavily armed security personnel, including the military, police, and other operatives.