The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday re-arraigned a 40-year-old man, Adumeta Nduka, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over the sale of unregistered food products.
DAILY POST gathered that the accused who is being charged on five counts bordering on the offence, was first arraigned on December 9, 2014 on the charges.
The judge, John Tsoho, had adjourned the case for trial and had granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum after the accused pleaded not guilty.
However, the accused failed to show up for trial on April 27 and on several other adjournments.
This led the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest on September 22.
When the case was mentioned on Tuesday, counsel to the accused, Mr. Oluwole Olusi, craved the indulgence of the court on behalf of his client, alleging that the accused had been absent from court following an injury he sustained from a road accident.
He, therefore, implored the court to vacate the bench warrant issued against the accused, adding that the accused was now in court to stand trial.
In his ruling, Justice Tsoho vacated the bench warrant, saying that he was satisfied with the explanation given by defence counsel.
According to the judge, “The bench warrant issued on September 22 is hereby discharged.”
The prosecutor, Mr. Washington Adumen, then prayed the court for the accused to be re-arraigned on the charges.
Adumen had told the court that the accused who engaged in the manufacture of some food products without registration and approval from NAFDAC, committed the offence on November 6, 2014.
According to him, the accused manufactured Nourish Gold Banana, Vanilla and Chocolate Custard, as well as Falcon Refined Sugar without due registration.
“The products were packaged and labelled at 3, Saturday Close, Salolo in Lagos.
“The accused engaged in the sale of the unregistered products to members of the public contrary to the provision of the law,” the prosecutor added.
He said the offence contravened the provision of sections 1, 5 (a), and 17 of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
However, after the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.
Tsoho adjourned the case to February 9 for trial, ordering that the accused continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted.
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