ABUJA: For possessing several warehouses where counterfeit medicines are stored and for counterfeiting medicines, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) declared one Mr. Keneth Okereke wanted.
According to the agency, Okereke has been on the run after he was discovered to possess three major warehouses containing counterfeit drugs valued at about N1billion.
Briefing journalists on the development Tuesday, NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii stated that Okereke nearly overran the police officers that tried to arrest him with his car before fleeing to unknown destination.
The DG, however, stated that a manhunt has been launched for the fleeing suspect, as security operatives within the country and at border posts have put on his trail.
Meanwhile, the agency has again saved two Nigerians from execution in China and Malaysia where drug trafficking attracts capital punishment. At the same time, anti-narcotic officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu, apprehended four suspected drug traffickers in connection with unlawful importation and exportation of illicit drugs that tested positive for cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis with a total weight of 25.25kg.
Also, the agency also yesterday paraded Mr. Victor Okeke-Chinonyeluma for the forgery of NAFDAC’s, Nigerian Customs Service’s (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service’s (NIS) and various banks’ documents; and the quartet of Mr. Tochukwu Michael-Ozala, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoro, Mr. Peter Nwannwbuife and Mr. Nnaka Christian for counterfeiting Codrux Codeine cough syrup and Coflin cough syrup in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The NAFDAC DG stated that the following counterfeit medicines had been discovered in Okereke’s illegal warehouse: “Tarivid 200 milligramme (mg) tablet, Augmentin 625 mg tablet, Proviron tablet, Novasc tablet, Glucophase 500mg tablet, GSK hologram for loparex, Ciprotab (antibiotics), unlabelled injections, Lexotan tablet (for treating anxiety), Septrin packing material, Ampiclox packaging material, and Cytotec-200mcg (misoprostol) tablet,” which is used to start labour, induce abortions, prevent and treat stomach ulcers, among other drugs.
Orhii said because of Okereke’s heinous crime, the Agency had declared him wanted. He implored members of the public with any useful information that may lead to his arrest to get in touch with the nearest NAFDAC formation, the police or the other security outfits. “We assure members of the public of utmost confidentiality in this regard,” he said.
On Okeke-Chinonyeluma, Orhii said that the agency has been on the trail of the suspect since 2013 for “forging stamps for Option Freight International Limited (a clearing company) to facilitate the clearance of 1 by 20 feet and 1 by 40 feet containers of herbal drugs and herbal tea imported by Tianshi Health Products Company Limited,” adding that investigations revealed that Option Freight International Limited sublet the clearing job to Truth Okey Cargo Nigeria.
“It was in the course of processing the clearance of the consignment that Mr. Victor Okeke-Chinonyeluma was contacted by a staff of Truth Key to forge the stamps.”
When arrested, Okeke-Chinonyeluma, the NAFDAC boss said, was found to illegally possess the following sensitive documents: NAFDAC import permit forms (I unit), 14 packs of Entry for NAFDAC regulated product for different companies, large quantity of Bill of Lading form, international passport belonging to Mr. Awunor Steve Emeka, forged letter from D/C (revenue recovery) NCS, Apapa Command to the Managing Director of APM terminal Apapa for the release of a container, large quantity of Union Bank of Nigeria custom revenue receipt, copies of First Bank Custom revenue receipt, copies of Skye Bank Pay-in form duty collection, among others.
