Outrage as Intersociety Demands NAFDAC Refund Over N3 Billion Collected from Onitsha Drug Traders

A leading civil society group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to refund over ₦3 billion allegedly collected from traders at the Onitsha Drug Market.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, Intersociety demanded that the agency refund the funds with a 20% interest, describing the collection as “extortionist” and “militarist.” The statement, signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi (Head, Intersociety), Chinwe Umeche (Human Rights Lawyer), and Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam (Head, Religious Freedom and Human Rights), insisted that no justification could excuse the alleged financial imposition.

According to Intersociety, between 3,500 and 3,800 traders were forced to pay ₦700,000 each under the claim of “poor storage penalties.” This comes after NAFDAC officials shut down the market for months following an enforcement operation, which the agency claimed was targeted at curbing the circulation of substandard drugs.

NAFDAC has since stated that the ₦700,000 charge was a reduced fine, down from ₦7 million, imposed on shop owners for regulatory breaches. However, Intersociety alleges that the agency went further to introduce three different categories of fees, including:

₦700,000 per market store owner (for poor storage),

₦200,000 per packing store,

₦200,000 for each unregistered multinational drug or product sold, including supplements.

This means some traders allegedly paid over ₦1.4 million each, depending on the number of products they carried.

The group decried the prolonged closure of the market — now stretching over 90 days — as unjust and economically damaging. They maintained support for “over 90% of the traders,” whom they described as legitimate dealers in approved pharmaceutical and health-related products.

Intersociety also criticized NAFDAC’s refusal to respond to more than ten public interest petitions submitted since the closure, despite having confirmation of receipt. The group further accused the agency of forcing traders to sign self-incriminating undertakings in order to retrieve their shops.

They urged the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and the South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, to step down to allow for an independent investigation into the matter.

The organisation also condemned what it described as the misuse of the Cyberstalking Act, saying law enforcement agencies were using outdated or repealed sections of the law to intimidate activists and critics. It criticized the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly siding with NAFDAC and ignoring the 2024 amendments to the Act.

Intersociety commended public figures such as VeryDarkMan (Martins Vincent Otse), Peter Obi, Senator Tony Nwoye, Hon. Afam Ogene, and Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor for speaking up in defense of the affected traders.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to the unconditional reopening of the market, the protection of legitimate traders, and accountability from regulatory agencies.