By Olisemeka Obeche

Human Rights Lawyer, Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor has dragged the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC to court over human rights violations during Onitsha Bridge Head Drugs Market (Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ) shutdown.

In the case filed under the suite number FHC/AWK/CS/162/25, NAFDAC, is facing a N100 Million Naira damages over alleged unlawful entry and looting of a boutique shop owned by Ms. Sophie Eberechukwu Okoye – a young trader operating at the market shut down by the agency.

According to a press statement dated June 6, 2025, signed by Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor Esq and made available to AnambraDaily, NAFDAC officials violated the law when it carried out indiscriminate opening and looting of shops suspected to be habouring fake and adulterated or expired pharmaceutical products in the market.

“We have formally commenced a legal action against NAFDAC at the Federal High Court, Awka, demanding full accountability and redress for Ms. Sophie, a victim of this gross abuse of power”, Ejiofor announced.

The statement read:

“In every just and democratic society, the rule of law is sacrosanct. No agency, regardless of its mission – has the right to operate outside the legal boundaries that define its existence.

“The recent events at Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra state , are a shameful testament to what happens when institutions betray this fundamental principle.

“The now-viral footage of Ms. Sophie Eberechukwu Okoye – a young trader devastated after her shop was unlawfully broken into and looted – has shocked the conscience of the nation. Her store, which sells clothes, watches, and fashion accessories, had no connection whatsoever to pharmaceuticals, yet it was targeted in a wave of looting allegedly carried out by a joint task force deployed under NAFDAC’s authority.

“What took place was not enforcement – it was lawlessness. This was not regulation – it was organised pillage. Armed with a mandate to protect, these operatives instead unleashed terror on innocent citizens, looting and decimating livelihoods without just cause.

‘This is unacceptable. However , upon the expiration of the statutory period for the pre-action notice served on NAFDAC, we have formally commenced a legal action against NAFDAC at the Federal High Court, Awka, demanding full accountability and redress for Ms. Sophie, a victim of this gross abuse of power.

“But this is bigger than one victim or one case. What occurred at Ogbo-Ogwu appears to be part of a systemic pattern of misconduct, looting, and impunity.
We are calling on both the Federal Government and the Anambra State Government to immediately set up an independent investigative panel to audit the entire operation, identify all culprits, and ensure they face justice.

“We support NAFDAC’s mandate to rid our markets of fake drugs – but no mission, however noble, justifies trampling on the rights and dignity of innocent Nigerians. Justice cannot and must not be collateral damage.

“A government that punishes the innocent while claiming to protect the public has failed its people. Every agency must be reminded: they serve under the law, not above it.

“Today it’s Sophie. Tomorrow, it could be you. That’s why we must demand accountability, uphold the rule of law, and resist tyranny in all forms.

“We will not be silenced. We will not back down. Justice must be done – and seen to be done,” he said.

READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

JUSTICE DEMANDS ACTION: COURT CASE FILED OVER OGBO-OGWU BRIDGE HEAD MARKET VIOLATIONS – NAFDAC IN THE EYE OF THE STORM!

In every just and democratic society, the rule of law is sacrosanct. No agency, regardless of its mission – has the right to operate outside the legal boundaries that define its existence.

The recent events at Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra state , are a shameful testament to what happens when institutions betray this fundamental principle.

The now-viral footage of Ms. Sophie Eberechukwu Okoye – a young trader devastated after her shop was unlawfully broken into and looted – has shocked the conscience of the nation. Her store, which sells clothes, watches, and fashion accessories, had no connection whatsoever to pharmaceuticals, yet it was targeted in a wave of looting allegedly carried out by a joint task force deployed under NAFDAC’s authority.

What took place was not enforcement – it was lawlessness. This was not regulation – it was organised pillage. Armed with a mandate to protect, these operatives instead unleashed terror on innocent citizens, looting and decimating livelihoods without just cause.

This is unacceptable. However , upon the expiration of the statutory period for the pre-action notice served on NAFDAC, we have formally commenced a legal action against NAFDAC at the Federal High Court, Awka, demanding full accountability and redress for Ms. Sophie, a victim of this gross abuse of power.

But this is bigger than one victim or one case. What occurred at Ogbo-Ogwu appears to be part of a systemic pattern of misconduct, looting, and impunity.
We are calling on both the Federal Government and the Anambra State Government to immediately set up an independent investigative panel to audit the entire operation, identify all culprits, and ensure they face justice.

We support NAFDAC’s mandate to rid our markets of fake drugs – but no mission, however noble, justifies trampling on the rights and dignity of innocent Nigerians. Justice cannot and must not be collateral damage.

A government that punishes the innocent while claiming to protect the public has failed its people. Every agency must be reminded: they serve under the law, not above it.

Today it’s Sophie. Tomorrow, it could be you. That’s why we must demand accountability, uphold the rule of law, and resist tyranny in all forms.

We will not be silenced. We will not back down. Justice must be done – and seen to be done.

Signed:
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq (KSC)
June 6, 2025

JusticeForSophie #NAFDACMustAccount

RuleOfLaw #EndOfficialLawlessness #ProtectNigerians #StopTheLooting #GovernmentByLaw #AccountabilityNow #SayNoToImpunity #OgboOgwutragedy #HumanRightsMatter #DueProcessFirst #WeDemandJustice