A Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has summoned the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, along with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, and other security officials to appear before the court.
The court is seeking an explanation as to why an order should not be issued to compel them to return the drugs seized from the Ogbo Ogwu Market, Bridge Head Onitsha, and neighboring street markets.
The suit, No: FHC/AWK/CS/53/2025, filed by Sir Peter Okala JP, Alhaji Dr. Yunusa Tanko PhD, and Prof. Samuel Anidike (on behalf of the Unite Nigeria Group), also lists Dr. Martins Iluyomade, NAFDAC’s South Eastern Director, and various police and military officers as defendants.
The case stems from a raid on February 10, 2025, by NAFDAC and other security agents who allegedly sealed off Ogbo Ogwu Market, Niger Bridge Head, Onitsha, along with over 10 surrounding street markets. During the raid, large quantities of drugs and other goods were seized without a valid court order or search warrant.
In an affidavit presented by the Applicants, it was claimed that NAFDAC operatives, led by Dr. Iluyomade, raided the market, breaking into shops and confiscating items like alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other non-consumables. The Applicants argue that these actions violated their rights and caused over 1 trillion Naira worth of damage to businesses.
The Applicants further alleged that NAFDAC operatives conducted the raid based on false assumptions and without providing proof of illegal activities at the market. They argue that the raid, which targeted over 4,000 businesses, was carried out in the absence of the shop owners and without proper legal authorization, infringing on their constitutional rights.
The court has granted the Applicants permission to serve the summons to the respondents via substituted means. The case was adjourned to March 30, 2025, for further hearing and compliance updates.
