Four traders from Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have sued the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over the alleged unlawful closure of the market.
Also named in the suit are NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, and the Anambra State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The traders—Peter Okala, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, Prof. Samuel Anidike, and C.C. Emereonwu—filed the case at the Federal High Court in Awka, arguing that their fundamental rights had been violated.
They maintained that contrary to the agency’s claims, not all traders in the market deal in counterfeit drugs.
Through their lawyer, Chibuike Nwabueze, they are seeking a court order to prevent the respondents and their representatives from unlawfully entering their shops without proper authorization.
The lawsuit, referenced as PHC/AWK/CS/40/2025, also challenges the alleged confiscation of goods without a valid court order or search warrant.
The applicants have further requested a permanent injunction to stop the authorities from closing their shops or seizing their merchandise without due legal process.
Additionally, they are demanding N50 million in exemplary damages and another N50 million in general damages for the alleged economic losses and hardship caused by the market shutdown.
Before turning to the court, the group had held a press conference condemning what they described as an abrupt and unjustified market closure.
They claimed the action had led to financial losses exceeding N200 million, leaving traders struggling to make ends meet.
According to them, NAFDAC, with the support of heavily armed security operatives, sealed the market and confiscated goods worth approximately N500 billion.
They described the raid as excessive and called for urgent intervention to reopen the market and allow traders to resume their businesses.
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