A Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a woman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to eight years imprisonment for operating pharmaceutical outlets without the required registration and authorisation.
The convict was prosecuted on charges relating to the unlawful operation of pharmacies and permitting unqualified individuals to dispense medications, contrary to provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu found Kamchukwube guilty of illegally running “24 Hours Pharmaceuticals” located on Marian Road as well as another pharmacy situated opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop along Abang Asang Street, Etta-Agbor Road, Calabar.
The judge held that the defendant engaged in pharmaceutical practice without being duly registered by the relevant regulatory authority, an act that contravened the law governing pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
According to the court, officials of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria had earlier sealed the affected premises during a routine compliance and enforcement exercise.
However, investigations revealed that the defendant later reopened the outlets and continued business activities despite the closure order.
Justice Ojukwu ruled that her actions violated multiple provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, including sections dealing with unauthorised pharmaceutical practice and the operation of unregistered premises.
Consequently, the court sentenced her to eight years behind bars.
Speaking after the judgment, Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Aliyu Okayode, who represented the Federal Government, described the verdict as a strong warning to individuals operating pharmaceutical businesses outside the legal framework.
He said the prosecution successfully established before the court that the defendant lacked the necessary registration and licence required to engage in pharmacy practice.
Okayode maintained that the judgment underscored the determination of authorities to enforce regulations designed to safeguard public health and ensure that only qualified and licensed professionals dispense medications.
Counsel to the defendant, Ekpe Esor, declined to comment on the judgment when approached by journalists after the court proceedings.