The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has categorically dismissed allegations made by social media influencer, Very Dark Man (VDM), claiming that the agency extorted ₦700,000 from traders during its regulatory enforcement at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NAFDAC condemned VDM’s remarks as inflammatory and potentially breaching the Cybercrime Act, asserting that it has reported the incident to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation.
VDM, in a widely viewed Instagram video surrounded by protesting traders, accused NAFDAC of demanding ₦700,000 for a service that the traders were unaware of. He showcased a document he purported was a receipt for the payment and threatened to take legal action.
In response, NAFDAC clarified that the penalties imposed on traders were in accordance with due process and aligned with established federal regulations. The agency explained that during recent enforcement operations across three open drug markets, all inspected shops, warehouses, and stores were found to contravene Good Storage and Distribution Practices. Alarmingly, none of the premises were registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), which constitutes a clear violation of federal laws.
Regarding the disputed fees, the agency disclosed that an investigative charge of ₦5 million was initially levied on those selling unregistered products, which was subsequently reduced to ₦200,000 following appeals. Similarly, a ₦2 million charge for failing to adhere to storage standards was lowered to ₦500,000. “These are charges sanctioned by the Federal Government and payments,” NAFDAC asserted, dismissing the claims of extortion as unfounded and misleading.
Earlier on Monday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, cautioned that VDM’s video constituted incitement, potentially infringing the Cybercrime Act. She stressed that the influencer’s exhortation for traders to ignore regulatory actions undermines NAFDAC’s authority and poses a threat to public health.
“What this individual has done is to openly encourage his audience to defy NAFDAC’s regulatory processes,” Prof. Adeyeye stated, highlighting that enforcement actions were conducted under the mandate of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Although the agency initially refrained from commenting on the specific ₦700,000 payment mentioned by VDM, it provided a comprehensive breakdown and rationale for the charges on Tuesday, emphasising that all actions taken were lawful and essential for maintaining drug safety standards.
NAFDAC urged the public to disregard any misinformation and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through stringent enforcement of regulatory standards. “NAFDAC is operating firmly within the scope of its mandate,” the DG remarked.
The agency indicated that it would leave it to security and legal authorities to determine whether the influencer’s actions constitute a breach of the Cybercrime Act.
Reiterating NAFDAC’s mission, the DG stated, “We remain dedicated to ensuring that all medical products, medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and more utilised in Nigeria are of high quality, safe, and effective. These efforts are crucial in reducing maternal and child mortality, enhancing life expectancy, and protecting citizens suffering from chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.”
