The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday arraigned one Yusuf Wasiu Adio, for allegedly brewing fake and unregistered herbal bitter drinks.
Adio was arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of Federal High Court, Lagos.
It was gathered that the defendant was arrested by NAFDAC operatives at his brewery, located at 11, Oladapo Olomo Street, Gberigbe in Ikorodu, while brewing the said fake and unregistered herbal bitter drinks.
According NAFDAC, the fake herbal bitter drinks allegedly brewed by the defendant include: Okiki Ibile VIP Alcohol bitter, Odu bitter, also called ‘knockout’; Ogogoro Ibile Amotekun; Japata Alcohol bitter and nonalcoholic Odu and Amotekun bitters.
The prosecutor, Mr. Umaru Shamaki told the court that the offence committed by the defendant contravened sections (1)(a), 1(1) and 5 of Counterfeiting and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34 of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Punishable under S. 6, 3(1)(a) and 17 of the same Act.
Adio however pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecuting team asked the court for a trial date. The prosecutor also urged the court to remand the defendant till the end of the matter.
Counsel to the defendant, Olajide Erinle, however urged the court to discountenance the remand request. Erinle also urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.
Justice Oweibo eventually granted the bail request and granted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in the like sum.
The surety, according to Justice Oweibo, must be a Civil Servant on Grade Level 08, while the prosecution must verify the terms. The judge therefore adjourned the matter till October 21, 2020, for trial.
