NAFDAC Arraigns Chinese National Over Import Of Fake Diapers

 

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Wednesday, arraigned a Chinese national at the Federal High Court, Awka, over the import and sales of unregistered and counterfeit diapers.
The accused, Lu Pengqing, was arraigned on a five-count charge before Justice Gafa’i Bature.
The charge included: sales of ounterfeit product; possession of counterfeit product; importation of counterfeit product; importation of product without registration and distribution of product without registration.
Responding to the charges, the accused person pleaded not guilty.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Umar Shamaki, said Pengqing was arrested with the unregistered and counterfeit diapers at 9, Awka Road, Onitsha, Anambra, on February 10, while he was busy distributing the counterfeit and unregistered diaper products to unsuspecting members of the public.

“NAFDAC prays that the accused be remanded in prison custody, his international passports confiscated even as he faces his trial,’’ the counsel to the prosecutor said.
The counsel to the accused, Mr Emeka Nathaniel, argued that his client was not importing or selling counterfeit and unregistered products as alleged.
“Our prayer is an order to this honourable court to grant the accused lenient and favourable bail as we have submitted in our 11-page affidavit,’’ Nathaniel said.
In his rulin, Justice Bature, granted the accused bail on three conditions; while adjourning the hearing of the case to May 6.
“First, the accused must produce two sureties, who are civil servant, serving and working in Anambra State either with the Federal Government or Anambra State; and secondly, the court would have to verify the residence of the accused in Onitsha.

“Thirdly, the accused shall deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.’’