Clara-OnahA Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a graduate of Microbiology from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Clarah Onah, to seven years imprisonment for manufacturing and peddling fake metronidazole tablets.
The convict was caught on January 26, 2016 in possession of 200mg tablets of the fake drug which the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control told the court that she was distributing to the members of the public.
Onah, who is a post-graduate student of Mass Communications, was on February 12, 2016 arraigned by NAFDAC on five counts before Justice Justice Chuka Obiozor.
The prosecuting counsel for NAFDAC, Mr. Shamaki Umar, had told the judge that Onah acted contrary to sections 1(1) (a) and 3 (1) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs Unwholesome Processed Foods, (Miscellaneous Provision) Act Cap 34, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Upon reading the charges to her, Onah pleaded guilty to all the counts.
In his judgment, Justice Obiozor said though innocent citizens who took the fake drugs and died as a result were not given a second chance, she was inclined to give the convict a second chance.
“The convict is sentenced to a term of seven years imprisonment on counts one to four, and is sentenced to pay a fine of N50,000 on count five.
“She is to be jailed at the women wing of the Kirikiri Maximum prison, and the term of imprisonment shall run concurrently from Jan. 26
“The prosecution shall hold on to the exhibits, and destroy same after the expiration of the time for appeal.”