Onitsha traders reject fake drug allegations
Some traders at the Onitsha Drug Market, led by Emmanuel Ozoemena and the group ‘Concerned and Genuine Members of Ogbo-Ogwu Market and Justice for Ogbo-Ogwu’, have denied claims that N265 million worth of fake drugs were found in the market. The group insists the products in question were expired drugs voluntarily handed over for proper disposal, not counterfeit items. Chukwuleta Ndubuisi, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, maintains that the drugs were fake, but traders accuse him of spreading misinformation for personal gain. The dispute has led to calls for the dissolution of the caretaker committee and fresh elections.
What we know
- Emmanuel Ozoemena and his group say the drugs handed to NAFDAC were expired, not fake, and were given up voluntarily by traders.
- The traders accuse Chukwuleta Ndubuisi of using the fake drug claims to gain political favour and intimidate market members.
- The group claims the controversy has caused a loss of over 60% of their customers to other drug markets in Nigeria.
- Chibueze Ifejiofor and Ekezie Ugochukwu support the position that the drugs were expired and question why no specific shops or individuals have been named in the fake drug allegations.
- Ndubuisi insists the drugs were fake and says enforcement against fake and expired products will continue in the market.
