NAFDAC re-arraigns man for selling unregistered custard, sugar

NAFDAC

A 40-year-old man, Adumeta Nduka, was Tuesday re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, for manufacturing and selling unregistered food products.

Nduka, of No. 3 Saturday Close, Salolo, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, is facing a five-count charge proffered against him by the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

When he was first arraigned on Dec. 9, 2014, the accused pleaded not guilty, and Justice John Tsoho granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in the like sum.

The accused then failed to show up for his trial and a bench warrant for his arrest was issued on September 22.

However, Tuesday, Justice Tsoho lifted the warrant following an explanation by the defence counsel Mr Oluwole Olusi.

The court then granted the plea of the prosecutor, Mr Washington Adumen, for the accused to be re-arraigned.

Mr. Adumen told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 6, 2014.

He alleged that the accused manufactured Nourish Gold Banana, Vanilla and Chocolate Custard, as well as Falcon Refined Sugar without NAFDAC registration.

He added that the products were packaged and labelled at No 3, Saturday Close, Salolo in Lagos and that the accused engaged in the sale of the unregistered products to members of the public contrary to the provision of the law.

The offence contravened the provision of sections 1, 5 (a), and 17 of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, Laws of the Federation, 2004, the prosecutor said.

The accused pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Justice Tsoho ordered that the accused should continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him and adjourned the case till February 9 for trial.