Four traders from the Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have taken legal action against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and other officials over what they describe as unlawful interference in their fundamental human rights.
The traders—Peter Okala, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, Prof. Samuel Anidike, and C.C. Emereonwu—filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Awka, alleging that their shops were illegally raided and sealed by NAFDAC operatives without prior notice or a valid court order.
They also claim that security personnel, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, assisted in the forceful confiscation of goods worth billions of naira.
Through their counsel, Chibuike Nwabueze (Esq.), the traders are seeking several reliefs, including a court order restraining the respondents and their agents from further breaking into their shops and confiscating their wares without proper legal backing.
They are also demanding N50 million in exemplary damages and another N50 million in general damages for the alleged violations of their rights.
Before heading to court, the group had held a press conference condemning the market raid, describing it as “barbaric” and a violation of citizens’ rights.
They claim that NAFDAC’s actions have resulted in losses exceeding N200 million due to the market’s closure for over 10 days, leaving traders struggling to feed their families.
According to them, NAFDAC operatives, backed by heavily armed military and police personnel, stormed the market and sealed off several shops, alleging the presence of counterfeit drugs.
However, the traders insist that not all businesses in the market deal in fake pharmaceuticals and argue that the agency’s blanket action has unfairly punished many legitimate traders.
The case, filed under suit number PHC/AWK/CS/40/2025, is expected to test the limits of regulatory enforcement and traders’ rights in Nigeria, as stakeholders watch closely for the court’s ruling on the matter.
