NAFDAC accuses VeryDarkMan of misleading public over N700k imposed on Onitsha market traders

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has addressed allegations that it demanded money from traders at the Onitsha Bridge Head market.

A viral video by Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, alleged that NAFDAC demanded N700,000 from shop owners to reopen their shops.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC refuted the claims, accusing the influencer of inciting traders and misrepresenting facts.

“The attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been drawn to misleading information as contained in videos that are trending on social media of the incitement of traders of Onitsha Bridge Head Market by one social media influencer,” the statement reads.

NAFDAC said it carried out a nationwide enforcement exercise between February 9 and March 27, 2025, targeting open drug markets in Idumota (Lagos), Aba, and Onitsha.

The operation, NAFDAC said, resulted in the seizure and destruction of banned, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines and narcotics worth over one trillion naira.

According to the agency, none of the warehouses, shops, or storage facilities inspected met the minimum requirements of good storage and distribution practices.

NAFDAC added that the facilities were also not registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), in violation of existing regulations.

The agency explained that it imposed gazetted investigative charges on violators based on the nature of their infractions.

NAFDAC explained that gazetted “investigative charges” were imposed on violators, based on the severity of infractions.

For instance, a charge of N5 million for the sale of unregistered products was reduced to N200,000 after appeals. Similarly, another charge of N2 million for storage violations was lowered to N500,000.

“These are Federal Government gazetted charges and payments. Contrary to erroneous speculations, the agency is not imposing arbitrary levies,” the statement added.

NAFDAC also warned that attempts to misrepresent its statutory role and enforcement duties could constitute an offence under the Cybercrime Act.

The agency also called on security agencies to take note of the VeryDarkMan’s actions.