A Federal High Court in Calabar has sentenced a woman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to eight years in prison for illegally operating pharmacies without the required registration and permits.
The conviction followed charges brought against her for running pharmaceutical businesses without approval from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and allowing unqualified individuals to dispense drugs to the public.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu found Kamchukwube guilty of unlawfully operating two pharmaceutical outlets in Calabar, including one located on Marian Road and another along Etta-Agbor Road.
According to the court, the defendant engaged in pharmacy practice despite not being registered as a pharmacist, pharmaceutical vendor, or pharmaceutical representative, contrary to provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
The judge also noted that regulatory officials had previously sealed the affected premises during an enforcement exercise. However, the defendant reportedly reopened the pharmacies and continued business operations despite the closure order.
The court ruled that her actions violated several sections of the Pharmacy Council Act and consequently handed down an eight-year prison sentence.
Speaking after the judgment, Aliyu Okayode, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice who prosecuted the case, said the conviction sends a strong warning to individuals operating pharmaceutical facilities without proper authorization.
He stated that the prosecution successfully proved that the defendant lacked the necessary registration and licence required by law to practice pharmacy in Nigeria.
Defense counsel Ekpe Esor declined to comment on the verdict following the court proceedings.
Authorities say the judgment reinforces ongoing efforts to curb illegal pharmaceutical practices and protect public health across the country.
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