Anambra drug market: Traders drag NAFDAC to court over alleged N700,000 extortion

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Traders inside the popular Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State have drawn the battle line with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, over the reopening of the market, shut since February 15, 2025.

Operatives of NAFDAC, led by the Director, South-East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade, had raided the market and uncovered over 10 trucks of fake products estimated at over N1tn.

The fake drugs were later destroyed at the ASWAMA dump site in Awka, by the agency, after the exercise.

However, concerns have been raised since February 9, when NAFDAC officials raided the market, with the traders and other stakeholders lamenting the untold hardship the development has brought upon them.

In a new twist to the drama, the affected traders are alleging that NAFDAC imposed a fine of N700,000 on each of them before reopening of their shops.

Speaking to South-East PUNCH on Monday, the affected traders, described the action of NAFDAC as “scandalous, outrageous and reprehensible”, adding that they had documented evidences to prove that NAFDAC had officially collected the sum of N700,000 from every shop owner in the drug market, in order to allow them have access to their shops.

They alleged further that over 1,000 shop owners have paid the contentious N700,000 access fee.

The aggrieved traders, under the aegis of United Nigeria Group approached the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, praying the court to enforce their fundamental rights, including the immediate reopening of the market.

According to the suit No: FHC/AWK/CD/53/2025, obtained by our correspondent in Anambra on Monday, hearing will continue on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in the suit instituted at the Federal High court sitting at Awka, Anambra State capital, by United Nigeria Group (plaintiff), against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Inspector General of Police, IGP, Chief of Army Staff, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and three others, (respondents), over the continued closure of Onitsha Bridge Head Ogbogwu (drug), market shut by NAFDAC, on claim that the market deals in fake drugs.