Court Jails Woman 8 Years For Running Illegal Pharmacies In Calabar

The Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a businesswoman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to eight years imprisonment for operating unregistered pharmaceutical outlets and allowing unqualified persons to dispense drugs.

The conviction followed her prosecution by the federal government over violations of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Ijeoma Ojukwu found Kamchukwube guilty of illegally operating pharmaceutical premises without registration and the requisite licence from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

The court heard that the convict operated two pharmaceutical outlets in Calabar — “24 Hours Pharmaceuticals” located on Marian Road and another pharmacy opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop on Abang Asang Street, Etta-Agbor Road — despite not being registered as a pharmacist or authorised pharmaceutical practitioner.

Justice Ojukwu held that the defendant unlawfully presented herself as a registered pharmacist, vendor and pharmaceutical representative without possessing the legal qualifications and registration required by law.

The judge stated that Kamchukwube contravened Section 32(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, by practising pharmacy without registration.

The court further heard that officials of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria had previously sealed the two premises during a routine enforcement exercise.

However, despite the regulatory action, the defendant allegedly broke the official seals, reopened the pharmacies and continued operating the businesses in defiance of lawful directives.

Justice Ojukwu ruled that her actions violated Sections 32(2), 53(d), 54(1) and 54(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, and subsequently sentenced her to eight years imprisonment.

Speaking after the judgment, Aliyu Okayode, who represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the case, described the verdict as a strong warning to individuals operating pharmaceutical businesses without complying with regulatory requirements.

According to him, the prosecution successfully established before the court that the defendant was not registered or licensed to practise pharmacy.

“The charges of practising pharmacy without proper registration and licence under the law were brought against her. That is why we are here. That is the charge before the court.

“We were able to establish before the court that she was indeed unregistered, and the court sentenced her for not complying,” he said.

Counsel to the defendant, Ekpe Esor, declined to comment on the judgment and did not speak with journalists after the court proceedings.

The conviction is expected to reinforce ongoing efforts by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and other regulatory agencies to clamp down on illegal pharmaceutical practices and protect public health from the dangers posed by unlicensed drug operators.