The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has arrested two men in connection with the illegal manufacture of counterfeit alcoholic drinks in Lagos State. The enforcement action was carried out in the Mushin area by NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
The suspects, identified as Uchenna Ekezie and Peter Okparalgbo, were apprehended during two separate raids. Officials said the operations led to the shutdown of an unauthorized production facility, as well as shops and warehouses where fake products were stored.Large quantities of adulterated drinks were recovered during the exercise. Among the seized items were imitation brands of Hennessy, Jack Daniel’s, The Macallan, Don Julio, Martell, Rémy Martin, and several other local and foreign labels. NAFDAC also confiscated empty bottles, labels, corks, and equipment allegedly used to repackage the fake beverages.
Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement, confirmed the arrests on Monday, July 20. He said the suspects admitted to producing the counterfeit drinks during questioning. All recovered items have been secured as exhibits and investigations are ongoing ahead of prosecution.
In a related operation, NAFDAC officials raided two locations within Oke Arin Market and evacuated over 450 cartons of expired salad cream, some of which had passed their expiry date since 2024. The agency also sealed several shops found selling unregistered goods or operating under poor storage conditions, and invited the product owners for questioning to prevent the items from reaching consumers.
