Onitsha traders sue NAFDAC, SON over market closure, allege looting

Four traders from Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have taken legal action against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Also listed as defendants in the suit are NAFDAC’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, and the Anambra State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The traders—Peter Okala, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, Prof. Samuel Anidike, and C.C. Emereonwu—filed the lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Awka, challenging what they described as an unlawful infringement on their fundamental human rights.

They argued that not all market traders deal in counterfeit drugs, contrary to the allegations made by the authorities.

Represented by their lawyer, Chibuike Nwabueze, the applicants are seeking several legal remedies, including an injunction to prevent the respondents and their agents from further breaking into their shops without a valid court order or search warrant.

The suit, filed under reference number PHC/AWK/CS/40/2025, also demands an end to the alleged confiscation of goods from their stores and their relocation to undisclosed locations.

Additionally, the traders are requesting the court to grant a perpetual injunction stopping the respondents and their operatives from sealing their shops without due legal process.

They are also demanding N50 million in exemplary damages and another N50 million in general damages for the hardship allegedly inflicted upon them.

Prior to initiating the court case, the group had condemned the market closure during a press conference, describing the move by NAFDAC as abrupt, unjust, and a violation of their rights.

They claimed that the market had been shut down for over 10 days, leading to business losses exceeding N200 million and leaving many traders struggling to survive.

Furthermore, they alleged that NAFDAC, accompanied by heavily armed security personnel, seized goods valued at approximately N500 billion during the raid.

They criticized the enforcement action as excessive and called for immediate intervention to reopen the market and allow legitimate businesses to resume operations.