A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced a businesswoman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, for operating unregistered pharmaceutical premises and unlawfully practising as a pharmacist.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment after finding the defendant guilty of multiple offences bordering on the illegal operation of pharmaceutical outlets and dispensing medicines without the qualifications and licences required under the law, reports Daily Trust.
Court documents showed that the offences were committed in August 2024 and formed the basis of charges filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Suit No. FHC/CA/76C/2025.
The prosecution accused the defendant of violating provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
According to the documents, Kamchukwube operated two pharmaceutical outlets in Calabar without registration or authorisation from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
One of the outlets was located along Marian Road, while the other was situated opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop on Abang Asang Street, Etta Agbor Road.
The court further held that the convict practised in the capacity of a pharmacist despite not being registered or licensed by the PCN, thereby contravening statutory regulations governing pharmaceutical practice in the country.
Speaking after the judgment, Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice and prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Okayode, said the prosecution successfully proved that the defendant was neither a registered pharmacist nor authorised to operate pharmaceutical premises.
Okayode said the court found her guilty on five counts, including operating pharmaceutical facilities without registration, dispensing medicines without the requisite licence, and rendering pharmaceutical services outside the legal framework established by the regulatory authority.
He also disclosed that the defendant tampered with enforcement measures imposed by regulators by allegedly breaking the seal and lock placed on one of the premises by officials of the PCN during an earlier enforcement exercise.
The prosecutor said the court imposed a prison sentence, with the law prescribing penalties ranging from imprisonment to fines for such offences.
He added that the court declared the convict wanted and directed security agencies to arrest and hand her over to correctional authorities whenever she is apprehended.
Counsel to the defendant, Ekpe Esor, declined comments on the judgment.
