A businesswoman in Anambra state has instituted an action against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC), alleging its operatives broke into her shop and looted goods that had nothing to do with food or drugs.
A businesswoman based in Onitsha, Anambra State, Eberechukwu Sophia Okoye, has dragged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to a Federal High Court in Awka over alleged invasion of her office and seizure and looting of goods estimated at N15.746 million.
Among the items seized by NAFDAC were dozens of Jeans imported from Turkey, boxers, joggers, caps, condom packets, underpants, and Italian Palm Sandals.
Sources said that the present suit has unsettled the top hierarchy of NAFDAC, while fear is said to have gripped its staff members in Abuja, Lagos and the South East.
Joined as respondent in the suit marked: FHC/AWK/CS /162/2025 is the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye.
The plaintiff in the suit filed by her lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, is claiming N100 million as general and exemplary damages and N10 million, being the cost of the action.
The plaintiff wants the court to declare that the defendants, in the administration, management and control of food and drugs, broke into her shop, looted and carted away items not affiliated with drugs, food or chemicals.
Okoye also wants the court to declare that the seizure of her goods and looting of her shop is not only oppressive, unreasonable but also illegal.
She also wants the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, or privies from taking further steps to break, lock up and tamper with her shop.
The case has been assigned to Court 2 at the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State.
Arise News had reported that on March 15, 2025, NAFDAC officials stationed to oversee the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market, Onitsha, allegedly looted the shop of Ms. Sophia Eberechukwu Okoye, making away with non-pharmaceutical goods valued at N15.746 million.
Ejiofor had earlier demanded a thorough investigation and accountability, and a pre-action notice formally served on NAFDAC.
According to him, the arbitrary looting of a citizen’s business under the pretext of regulatory enforcement is “an egregious abuse of power, a criminal act, and a violation of fundamental rights.”
He had said, “While regulatory agencies have a duty to enforce compliance, such actions must strictly adhere to due process, fairness, and the rule of law. No government agency should be permitted to weaponise enforcement to inflict unwarranted hardship on innocent individuals.
“We remain unwavering in our pursuit of justice for Ms. Eberechukwu. Those responsible for this unlawful and reprehensible act must face the full weight of the law. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
