NAFDAC arrests two over counterfeit alcohol production in Lagos
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested two suspected counterfeiters following the discovery and dismantling of two illegal alcoholic beverage production operations in the Mushin area in Lagos State
The suspects, identified as Uchenna Ekezie and Peter Okparalgbo, were apprehended during separate enforcement operations conducted by the Agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
Confirming their arrest to newsmen on Monday, July 20, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, said large quantities of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including premium local and international brands, were recovered from shops, storage facilities and an illegal production site.
Some of the products seized included Hennessy, William Lawson’s, Don Julio, Martell, Rémy Martin, Flirt Vodka, Lords Gin, Imperial Blue, Gordon’s, Jack Daniel’s, Best Whisky, Eagle Gin, Aman Tequila, The Macallan Scotch Whisky, Casmero Whisky, 501 and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Also confiscated were bottles, labels, packaging materials and other equipment used in the illicit production of the fake alcoholic beverages.
According to Iluyomade, the suspects admitted during interrogation to producing the counterfeit alcoholic beverages, adding that all recovered products and production materials had been secured as exhibits while further investigations continue ahead of prosecution.
In another enforcement operation, the Agency uncovered more than 450 cartons of expired salad cream stored at two locations within Oke Arin Market in Lagos.
The expired products, some of which had expired since 2024, were immediately evacuated to prevent them from being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
The Agency also invited the owner of the products for questioning, while several other shops found stocking unregistered and banned products or operating under poor storage conditions were sealed pending further investigations.
Iluyomade also disclosed that on July 15, 2026, one Mr. Chidera Chukwuka was convicted by the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a six-count charge before Justice Allagoa.
He said the court imposed a total fine of ₦1.65 million on the convict and ordered the forfeiture of all offending products to NAFDAC for destruction.
The director reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to protecting public health by ensuring that only safe, quality and properly regulated products are available to consumers.
“These operations underscore NAFDAC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of Nigerians by disrupting the activities of individuals and networks engaged in the production and distribution of unsafe and counterfeit regulated products.”
He assured Nigerians that surveillance and enforcement activities would continue across the country, urging members of the public to purchase regulated products only from reputable outlets and report suspicious products or activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.