NAFDAC: Trader Pleads Guilty To Selling Expired Wine In Lagos

A Lagos trader, Ibeh Nkemakonam, has pleaded guilty to possessing, storing and selling expired Mosto Tinto wine, in breach of food safety laws before the Federal High Court in the state.

Nkemakonam, 48, who operates as Magkem Investment, changed his earlier not-guilty plea before Justice Yelim Bogoro to the three-count charge brought against him by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

NAFDAC had accused the trader of dealing in expired wine with one Okafor James Cyril, who is said to be at large, at the Balogun Business Association Trading Complex in Lagos on 3 April 2024.

He initially pleaded not guilty when arraigned in 2024, and the judge granted him bail.

But at the resumed hearing of the case, Nkemakonam indicated that he wanted to change his plea.

After his plea, NAFDAC prosecutor Cynthia Igweiro urged the court to adjourn the case so the prosecution could review the facts ahead of sentencing.

She also asked the court to remand the defendant to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Defence counsel did not oppose the application.

Justice Bogoro adjourned the case to 18 November 2026 for a review of the facts and sentencing, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in NCoS custody.

In the first count, Nkemakonam was accused of possessing expired Mosto Tinto wine at the Balogun Business Association Trading Complex.

The offence is punishable under Section 3 of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The second count accused him of storing the wine, described as unfit for human consumption, contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004, and punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.

In the third count, the trader was accused of storing adulterated food products in contravention of Section 1(2) of the Food and Drugs Act.

The prosecution alleged that the offences were committed on 3 April 2024, at the Lagos trading complex.