A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a drug seller, Isidora Ezea, and three other defendants to eight and a half years imprisonment each for operating unregistered pharmacy premises and illegally dispensing medicines.
The judgment was delivered after the court found the defendants guilty of running pharmacy shops without authorization from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and engaging in the unlawful sale and distribution of controlled medicines to the public.
According to the court, the defendants operated multiple pharmacy outlets that were not duly registered, and in some instances, allowed unqualified persons to dispense prescription drugs to customers, a violation of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical regulations designed to protect public health and safety.
During trial proceedings, prosecutors told the court that inspections by regulatory officials led to the sealing of the illegal premises. However, the defendants allegedly resumed operations after the closures, continuing the sale of pharmaceutical products without proper certification or professional oversight.
In delivering judgment, the presiding judge held that the actions of the defendants posed serious risks to public health, stressing that the illegal distribution of drugs undermines national healthcare standards and endangers lives. The court consequently convicted all four defendants on multiple counts relating to unlawful pharmaceutical practice.
Each of the convicts was sentenced to 8.5 years imprisonment, with reports indicating that they may have the option of paying a fine in lieu of serving the full prison term, depending on compliance with court directives. The court also ordered law enforcement agencies to ensure the arrest of any convict who was not present during sentencing.
The ruling underscores ongoing efforts by regulatory authorities, particularly the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, to clamp down on unregistered drug outlets and enforce strict compliance within the pharmaceutical sector.
Illegal drug sales and unlicensed pharmacy operations remain a persistent concern in Nigeria, with authorities warning that such practices contribute to drug abuse, treatment failures, and increased public health risks.
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