Imposition Of ₦700,000 Fee On Ogbo-Ogwu Traders: Hon.Ezenwa Urges Tinubu, Soludo To Interview In NAFDAC’s Actions

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

The Member representing Onitsha South 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly Hon. Fred Chigozie Ezenwa, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to urgently intervene in the ongoing regulatory actions by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) at the Onitsha Drug Market (Ogbogwu).

Hon. Ezenwa expressed deep concern over the imposition of a ₦700,000 fee per shop by NAFDAC as a condition for traders to reopen their businesses, describing the measure as harsh, punitive, and economically devastating.

The lawmaker recalled that on February 7, 2025, NAFDAC, accompanied by armed security agents, stormed and sealed the Ogbogwu Market in a bid to rid off the market of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products. Over the course between February 8 and March 8, officials reportedly broke into and searched hundreds of shops. NAFDAC later claimed to have confiscated 50 trailer loads of counterfeit drugs, which led to the continued closure of the market.

Originally, a reopening fee of ₦500,000 per shop was announced, but this was later increased to ₦700,000, a move Hon. Ezenwa strongly criticized. He noted that with approximately 5,000 shops and over 12,000 traders, the financial burden on the business community is staggering and unjustifiable.

“This prolonged market shutdown has crippled the local economy and inflicted immense suffering on thousands of law-abiding traders and their dependants,” Hon. Ezenwa said.

He further lamented that about 20 traders have reportedly died from the stress and economic hardship caused by the closure, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis in the making. The market, he emphasized, is a one of the major contributors to the state and national economy, and most of its traders are duly registered taxpayers.

Hon. Ezenwa appealed to President Tinubu and Governor Soludo to launch a full investigation into NAFDAC’s enforcement activities at the market and demand accountability from the agency. He also urged the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to reconsider the imposition of the ₦700,000 levy, stressing that the extended closure and seizure of goods already constitute sufficient punishment.

“More than 85 percent of traders in Ogbogwu deal in legitimate pharmaceuticals. It is unjust to punish the entire market for the alleged actions of a few,” he stated.

Hon. Ezenwa also advised the traders to strictly avoid the sale or distribution of counterfeit, illicit, or substandard drugs, emphasizing the grave threat they pose to human life. He posited that selling and distribution of fake drugs is evil.

“If fake drugs kills, why would anyone still choose to trade on them? he queried.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to protecting the economic rights and wellbeing of his constituents, while calling for immediate government action to restore normalcy in the market.