Businessman, Others Docked For Producing Unregistered Alcoholic Drink ‘Japata’
A businessman, Sunday Chibiuke and his company, Chigodson International Company Limited, were on Friday, arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, for producing, distributing, selling and dealing in an unregistered alcoholic drink, named Japata.
The businessman and his company were arraigned alongside one Ekpendu Chizurumoke, on six count charge of the offence by the National Agency for Drug Administration And Control Agency (NAFDAC), before the court presided over by Justice Yelim Bogoro.
The prosecutor, Mr. O. M. About, told the court that the defendants, who were residents 30 Edegbami Offor Isheri-iri Street, and 1 Ashipa Road, Amule Bus Stop, Ayobo, both in Lagos State, were on April 22, 2023, where they producing, possessing, dealing and distributing the said unwholesome alcoholic drink named Japata Alcoholic Bitters.
The prosecutor told the defendants were producing the said alcoholic drink by mixing adulterate drinks with marijuana, but deceitfully labelled with another product label, in order to give wrong impression that the alcoholic drink is an original ones.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the defendants are contrary to section 1 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 3 (1){a) of the same Act.
He also told the court that the defendants’ acts contravened Sections
18 (a)(1) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 18(a)(i) of the same Act.
And Section 1(a) and 5(a) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap F32, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 17 (1) and (2) respectively of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
With their not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants pending trial.
But counsel to defendant’s, Mr. K. U. Ogujuiba, pleaded with the court to admit his clients to bail, saying that their bail applications have filed and served on the prosecutor.
Responding, the prosecutor told the court that he was served with the bail applications while in court and he needs time to reply to the applications.
Justice Bogoro, after listening to both the prosecutor and the defence lawyer, adjourned the matter to September 9, 2023, for trial, while ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
The judge however said the parties can once they are ready to argue the bail application.
“That you, Sunday Chibiuke, Male, Adult and Chigodson International Company Ltd both of No. 30 Edegbami Offor Isheri-iri Street, Lagos State on or about the 22th day of April, 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did produce unwholesome processed food to wit: Japata Alcoholic Bitters unlabelled mixture and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 3 (1){a) of the same Act.
“That you, Sunday Chibiuke, Male, Adult and Chigodson International Company Limited both of No. 30 Edegbami Offor Isheri-iri Street, Lagos State and Ekpendu Chizurumoke, Male, Adult of 1 Ashipa Road, Amule Bus Stop, Ayobo, Lagos State On or about the 22th day of April, 2022, at No 30 Edegbami Offor Isheri-iri Street, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did label a food to wit: Japata Alcoholic Bitters Unlabelled mixture in a manner that is likely to create a wrong impression as to is composition and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5 (a) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap F32, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 17 (1) and (2) respectively of the same Act.”
