SERAP seeks court order to restrain FG from suspending sachet alcohol ban

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the federal high court in Lagos to seek an order restraining the federal government from suspending enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products.

This follows a recent directive from the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), which suspended all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban.

The SGF’s directive, issued on Monday, was in response to interventions by the house of representatives committee on food and drugs administration and control regarding the planned enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In November, the senate asked NAFDAC not to extend the deadline for phasing out alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets beyond December 2025.

THE COURT CASE

The suit, filed by a team of lawyers from Tayo Oyetibo LP led by senior advocate of Nigeria Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, names the minister of health and social welfare and the attorney-general of the federation as defendants.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/2568/25, SERAP sought an order to compel the federal ministry of health and social welfare to immediately ensure that NAFDAC fully enforces the existing nationwide ban on the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol in sachet format.

The organisation argued that continued delay by the relevant federal authorities in enforcing the ban amounts to a failure to implement long-standing public health regulations designed to curb alcohol abuse, protect public safety, and safeguard citizens’ well-being.

SERAP said the ongoing circulation of sachet alcohol violates the National Health Act, 2014, the NAFDAC Act, the Spirits Drink Regulation, 2021, and the memorandum of resolution of December 19, 2018.

SERAP told the court that sachet alcohol, which is widely accessible, has been linked to rising cases of alcohol abuse, particularly among young people and low-income communities.

The organisation said the defendants have a duty to ensure that the full implementation of the ban of sachet alcohol nationwide.

The court is expected to fix a hearing date in the coming days.