The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced Ezea Kamchukwube, a female, to eight years’ imprisonment for the illegal operation of two pharmacies in Calabar, Cross River State.
- +C’River woman bags eight years jail for operating unregistered pharmacies
The convict was arraigned before the court on charges bordering on operating pharmacies without registration and allowing unqualified persons to dispense drugs, contrary to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
The convict was arraigned before the court on charges bordering on operating pharmacies without registration and allowing unqualified persons to dispense drugs, contrary to the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
The case was filed under Charge No: FHC/CA/76C/2025 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defendant.
Delivering judgement on Monday in Calabar, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu found the defendant guilty on counts relating to the illegal operation of “24 Hours Pharmaceuticals” along Marian Road and another pharmacy opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop, Abang Asang Street, Etta-Agbor Road, Calabar.
She said, “That you, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, female, adult, businesswoman, did practise in the capacity of a registered pharmacist, vendor and pharmaceutical representative while not being registered, contrary to Section 32(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022.”
Justice Ojukwu noted that officials of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria sealed the two shops after a routine inspection and enforcement exercise, but Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube later unsealed the pharmacies and continued operations.
The court held that the actions violated Sections 32(2), 54(1), 54(2) and 53(d) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, and sentenced the convict to eight years’ imprisonment.
Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Aliyu Okayode, who represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said the judgement is a way to clamp down on individuals operating pharmaceutical premises without registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, as required by law.
“The charges of practising pharmacy without proper registration and a licence 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.
