A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday, sentenced a businessman, Paul Uche, to pay a total of N2.5m in fines and perform 30 days of community service for importing and possessing fake drugs.
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Justice Ibrahim Kala, in his judgment, however, held that failure to comply with the monetary fine and community service order would attract a five-year term of imprisonment.
The judge handed down the sentence after Uche entered a guilty plea to a seven-count charge pursuant to a plea bargain agreement reached with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
When the case was called, the prosecutor, B. Simon, informed the court that the matter had been resolved through a plea bargain.
“My Lord, the seven-count charge is pending before this Honourable Court, and both parties, in an effort to avoid a protracted trial, have entered into a plea bargain agreement which has been duly filed,” Simon said.
He urged the court to direct that the charge be read to the convict so he could formally retake his plea.
After the charge was read, Uche pleaded guilty to all seven counts. The prosecutor then reviewed the facts of the case and tendered relevant documents and exhibits recovered from the defendant.
Following the review, Simon urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant in line with the plea bargain agreement.
“My Lord, in view of the defendant’s guilty plea and the uncontroverted facts before the court, we respectfully urge this Honourable Court to convict and sentence him accordingly,” he said.
Justice Kala, after confirming that there was no objection from defence counsel, Oreofe Ogunleye, convicted Uche on all seven counts.
In his ruling, the judge imposed a fine of N500,000 each on counts one to four and N50,000 each on counts five to seven, bringing the total to N2.5m.
“In addition to the fines imposed, the convict is hereby ordered to serve 30 days of community service,” Justice Kala held.
The judge added, “In the alternative, should the convict fail to comply with the monetary fine and community service, he shall serve a term of five years’ imprisonment, effective from today.”
The charges stemmed from offences allegedly committed on August 29, 2025, at Victory Warehouse, located at Ilasa, Sadiku Bus Stop, along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.
According to the charge, Uche was found in possession of, displayed for sale, imported, stored, and distributed fake and unregistered drugs identified as Malamal Forte Tablets (primary package) with Diclofenac Potassium Enteric Coated 50mg (secondary package).
He was also accused of conspiring with one Munson Ibeabuchi, said to be based in China, to aid another individual, Michael Galt, in importing the counterfeit drugs into Nigeria.
The offences were said to be contrary to the provisions of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, the Food and Drugs Act, and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act.
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