A woman identified as Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Federal High Court in Calabar for illegally running pharmaceutical businesses without the required registration.
The conviction followed charges brought against her for engaging in pharmacy practice without authorization and allowing individuals who were not professionally qualified to dispense medications.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who delivered the judgment on Monday, found that the defendant operated two pharmaceutical outlets in Calabar in violation of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
According to the court, one of the facilities was located on Marian Road, while the second operated along Etta-Agbor Road. Investigations revealed that both establishments were functioning without the necessary approvals from regulatory authorities.
The judge stated:
“That you, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, Female, adult, businesswoman, did practice in the capacity of registered pharmacists, vendors and pharmaceutical representatives while not being registered contrary to Section 32(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022.”
The court further heard that the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria had previously shut down the premises during an enforcement operation. However, the defendant allegedly reopened the facilities and continued business activities despite the closure order.
After reviewing the evidence, the court held that her actions contravened several provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act and consequently imposed an eight-year jail term.
Reacting to the verdict, the prosecuting counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Aliyu Okayode, said the ruling reinforces efforts to eliminate unlicensed pharmaceutical practices and protect public health.
“The charges of practising pharmacy without proper registration and license under the law were brought against her. That is why we are here. That is the charge before the court.
“We were able to establish before the court that she was indeed unregistered. And the court sentenced her for not complying”, he added.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Ekpe Esor declined to comment on the judgment when approached by journalists after the proceedings.
