Businessman in Court over Importation of Fake KILIT Insecticide

A 43-year-old man, Obumneme Okpala, Monday, appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged importation of fake “KIILIT” insecticide.

The accused also known as Okanu, is charged by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on three counts bordering on counterfeiting and importation of fake products.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After his plea was taken, the prosecutor, Mr. Shamaki Umar, urged the court to issue a date for trial while the accused be remanded in prison.
In opposition, counsel to the accused, Mr. Onyeka Ofoegbu, informed the court that the prosecution had not attached its proof of evidence to the charge, adding that it is a compulsory requirement of the law.

He added that he had yet to file a bail application for the accused and would do same soon.
He urged the court to order the prosecution to do the needful.

In his ruling the judge, Justice Muslim Hassan, adjourned the case until November 21 for trial, and ordered the prosecution to file its proof of evidence before that date.

Meanwhile, the judge ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody, pending trial date.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that the accused committed the offence on October 13.

According to NAFDAC, the accused allegedly imported fake drug products namely: KILIT Royal Dream Insecticide, contrary to the provisions of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed Food Act.

It said the accused imported the fake products together with its labels, which are unregistered and in clear contravention of the law.

The offences according to the prosecution, offends the provisions of sections 1, 1(1)(a)  and 1(1) of the Foods, Drugs and Related Products Registration Act,  Laws of the Federation 2004.