The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control has arraigned a trader, Chinedu Okafor, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly producing fake Schnapps and various fruit juices and wines.

The 40-year-old trader faced an eight-count charge that included manufacturing, dealing, selling, distributing, and possessing unwholesome processed food.

NAFDAC’s counsel, Ahmed Ali, informed Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa that Okafor was arrested on April 26 at his residence in Badagry, Lagos. Ali stated, “Okafor was producing and processing ‘Apple Multifruit Juice Wine,’ ‘Eagle Aromatic Schnapps,’ and ‘Lord’s Gin’ illegally.”

Ali explained that Okafor’s actions violated Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004, and were punishable under Section 3 of the same Act. Additionally, his actions contravened Sections 1(1) and 1(3) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004, and were punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.

Okafor, who did not have a lawyer, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, the prosecutor requested the court to set a trial date and to remand Okafor in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) until the trial concludes. Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the prosecutor’s request, ordering that Okafor be remanded at the Lagos NCoS facility.

The trial is scheduled to begin on July 10.