• Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
Saturday, July 26, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Elanza News
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Elanza News
Home News

NAFDAC Refutes VDM’s ₦700,000 Extortion Claims from Traders

Nathaniel Irobi by Nathaniel Irobi
May 28, 2025
in News
0
NAFDAC Refutes VDM’s ₦700,000 Extortion Claims from Traders
0
SHARES
8
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailTelegram

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has strongly refuted the claims made by social media influencer, Very Dark Man (VDM), alleging that the agency extorted ₦700,000 from traders during its regulatory activities at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.

In a rejoinder issued on Tuesday, NAFDAC labelled VDM’s comments as inflammatory and potentially breaching the Cybercrime Act, stating that it has reported the situation to the relevant security agencies for investigation.

RelatedPosts

Customs Give 223 Importers 21 Days to Regularise Temporary Permits

Arewa Group Praises General Malik’s Transparent Recruitment

Cross River State Triumphs at Prestigious All-women Interstate Debate

VDM, in a widely circulated Instagram video, surrounded by protesting traders, alleged that NAFDAC extorted ₦700,000 for a service they claimed to be unaware of. He presented a document he asserted was a receipt for the payment and threatened to initiate legal proceedings.

In its response, NAFDAC clarified that the penalties imposed on traders were in accordance with established procedures and in line with federal regulations. The agency elaborated that during recent enforcement operations across three open drug markets, all inspected shops, warehouses, and stores were found to be in violation of Good Storage and Distribution Practices. Importantly, none of the premises were registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), a clear infringement of federal laws.

Concerning the disputed fees, the agency revealed that an investigative charge of ₦5 million was initially imposed on those selling unregistered products, which was later reduced to ₦200,000 after appeals were made. Likewise, a ₦2 million charge for non-compliance with storage standards was decreased to ₦500,000. “These charges are sanctioned by the Federal Government and are legitimate payments,” NAFDAC stated, dismissing allegations of extortion as groundless and misleading.

ALSO READ:  Make Election Accessable For People Living With Disability, IFA Tells INEC

Earlier on Monday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had warned that VDM’s video could amount to incitement, potentially infringing upon the Cybercrime Act. She highlighted that the influencer’s encouragement for traders to defy regulatory measures undermines NAFDAC’s authority and could jeopardise public health.

“What this individual has done is to openly instruct his followers to disregard NAFDAC’s regulatory processes,” Prof. Adeyeye remarked, indicating that the enforcement actions were carried out under the authority of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

While the agency initially refrained from addressing the specific ₦700,000 payment mentioned by VDM, it provided a thorough breakdown and justification for the charges on Tuesday, emphasising that all actions were lawful and necessary to uphold drug safety standards.

NAFDAC implored the public to dismiss any misinformation and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through rigorous enforcement of regulatory standards. “NAFDAC operates firmly within its mandate,” the DG concluded.

The agency stated it would leave it to security and legal authorities to ascertain whether the influencer’s actions contravene any provisions of the Cybercrime Act.

Reaffirming NAFDAC’s mission, the DG articulated, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that all medical products, medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and more used in Nigeria are of high quality, safe, and effective. These efforts are essential in reducing maternal and child mortality, enhancing life expectancy, and safeguarding citizens with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.”

Tags: Extortion
Nathaniel Irobi

Nathaniel Irobi

Related Posts

Customs Give 223 Importers 21 Days to Regularise Temporary Permits

Customs Give 223 Importers 21 Days to Regularise Temporary Permits

by Nathaniel Irobi
July 26, 2025
0

The Nigeria Customs Service gave 223 importers a 21-day grace period to regularise their Temporary Admission Permits (TAPs). The spokesman...

Arewa Group Praises General Malik’s Transparent Recruitment

Arewa Group Praises General Malik’s Transparent Recruitment

by Ojimaojo Abubakar
July 25, 2025
0

The Arewa Renaissance Group has commended Major General Malik, the Secretary of the Correctional Service, Immigration, Fire, and Civil Defence...

Cross River State Triumphs at Prestigious All-women Interstate Debate

Cross River State Triumphs at Prestigious All-women Interstate Debate

by Nathaniel Irobi
July 25, 2025
0

Cross River State has proudly emerged victorious at the recently concluded All-Women Interstate Debate, a landmark event dedicated to advancing...

Recommended

Jangebe Resident Slams Governor Lawal Over Rising Insecurity

Jangebe Resident Slams Governor Lawal Over Rising Insecurity

5 days ago
FG, States, LGs Share N1.818trn in June as Revenue Rises by N1.39trn

FG, States, LGs Share N1.818trn in June as Revenue Rises by N1.39trn

7 days ago

Popular News

  • CDS’s Wife, Shehu Sani, Katung, Other’s To Storm Pastor Mutum’s Ordination, Book Launch

    CDS’s Wife, Shehu Sani, Katung, Other’s To Storm Pastor Mutum’s Ordination, Book Launch

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bwari Council Chairmanship Aspirant, Dara, Dumps Labour Party Over Suspected Foul Play In Primaries

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Kaduna Baptist Church Donates N50,000 Each To 12 Muslims, 4 Retired Pastors

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bannon Tried to Use Iran Strike to Split the GOP Says Former Counselor to Jared Kushner, Eliyahu Okkon, Esq.

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Tinubu Orders Audit to Reform Civil Service

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Connect with us

Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Elanza logo

Elanza News is your NO 1 online platform for all news update.
#SayNoToFakeNews
Contact Us

Category

  • Arts & Literature (25)
  • Business (749)
  • Education (218)
  • Entertainment (311)
  • Health (196)
  • National (2,224)
  • News (8,310)
  • Opinion (308)
  • Politics (1,643)
  • Science (15)
  • Security (406)
  • Sports (445)

Newsletter

© 2023 Elanza News - The No 1 online news platform

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Science
  • National
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Health

© 2023 Elanza News - The No 1 online news platform