The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has issued a strong condemnation of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), accusing the agency of extortion and demanding an immediate refund of over ₦3 billion allegedly collected from traders at the Onitsha Drug Market.
In a joint statement signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head of Intersociety; Chinwe Umeche, a human rights lawyer and Head of Democracy and Good Governance; and Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, Head of Religious Freedom and Human Rights, the group claimed that between 3,500 and 3,800 shop owners were forced to pay ₦700,000 each as a condition for the reopening of the market, which had been shut down by NAFDAC for several months.
Intersociety insisted that the collected funds must be refunded with 20% interest, branding the move by NAFDAC as “forceful” and “unjustifiable,” especially since many of the traders had been kept out of business for over 90 days.
“No number of excuses or policy sanctifications can justify the imposition and collection of such outrageous sums from traders deprived of their legitimate livelihoods,” the group stated.
While Intersociety acknowledged the need for regulatory oversight, it emphasized its support for the 90% of traders engaged in legitimate pharmaceutical businesses, dealing in approved medicines and health supplements. It, however, distanced itself from those selling counterfeit or expired drugs.
The group revealed that the market consists of approximately 14,000 individuals, including 7,000 business owners across about 5,000 market stalls and stores, and another 7,000 made up of apprentices, hawkers, and support workers.
Intersociety also alleged that NAFDAC had ignored multiple petitions and media statements highlighting the traders’ plight. According to the group, three categories of “extortionist fees” were imposed at the market:
₦700,000 “Poor Storage Fee” for each store owner,
₦200,000 fee for each packing store owner,
₦200,000 per unregistered multinational drug product, including essential and nutritional supplements.
“These charges are not only unlawful but economically punitive,” the group stressed, adding that NAFDAC’s actions amounted to economic sabotage of legitimate traders.
Intersociety called on the Federal Government and relevant oversight bodies to investigate and sanction NAFDAC while ensuring the immediate return of the funds to the affected traders.