ONITSHA – Ms. Sophia Eberechukwu Okoye, a trader dealing in clothing materials at the Bridgehead Drug Market in Onitsha (Ogbo Ogwu), has filed a N110 million lawsuit against the National Agency for Food, Drugs and Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and its Director-General. She accused NAFDAC officials and their security escorts of looting her clothing shop during a recent raid targeting fake and substandard drugs in the market.
Okoye, through her lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed Suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/162/2025 at the Federal High Court in Awka on May 22. She is demanding N100 million in general and exemplary damages, N10 million for litigation costs, and the return of her goods — including boxers, singlets, jeans, shirts, and joggers — valued at N15.76 million. Alternatively, she wants NAFDAC to repay that amount in cash.
Her legal team had earlier served NAFDAC a pre-action notice in March, giving the agency one month to respond. After NAFDAC failed to act within the stipulated time, Okoye proceeded with legal action.
In a press statement, Ejiofor condemned the agency’s alleged misconduct, vowing to pursue justice for his client. He emphasized that no government agency has the authority to act outside the law, regardless of its mission.
Ejiofor criticized the raid, calling it “organised pillage” rather than legitimate enforcement. He cited viral footage showing a distraught Okoye outside her ransacked shop — which sold no pharmaceutical products — as evidence of the unjustified destruction. He insisted that the operation targeted her shop wrongly and devastated her livelihood.
“We have initiated legal proceedings against NAFDAC and its Director-General to hold them accountable for this abuse of power,” Ejiofor declared. “What happened at Ogbo Ogwu is not an isolated case. It reflects a troubling pattern of misconduct and impunity.”
He urged the Federal Government and the Anambra State Government to launch an independent investigation into the operation, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice.
Ejiofor clarified that while his team supports NAFDAC’s mission to eliminate fake drugs, no enforcement effort should trample on the rights of innocent Nigerians. “A government that punishes the innocent while claiming to protect the public has failed,” he said. “We must uphold the rule of law, demand accountability, and resist all forms of tyranny.”
“Today it’s Sophie. Tomorrow, it could be you. That’s why we must not remain silent. Justice must be done and seen to be done. He added
