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Onitsha Drug Market: Intersociety demands NAFDAC’s refund of over N3bn allegedly collected from traders 

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International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Intersociety, has demanded that the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, should refund over N3 billion Naira allegedly collected from traders at the Onitsha Drug Market.

It could be recalled that the market has been closed for months following an operation by NAFDAC.

But there has been outcry that the agency is collecting N700,000 from each of the affected shop owners.

NAFDAC has come out to say the N700,000 is a reduced fine for infractions committed by the traders. It said the fine was reduced from N7 million to N700,000.

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In a statement issued on Friday by Intersociety, it asked NAFDAC to refund the money.

The statement was signed by Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head, Intersociety, Chinwe Umeche, Human Rights Lawyer/Head, Democracy and Good Governance, and Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam, Head, Religious Freedom and Human Rights.

The organisation said such a refund “must be attached with 20% interest. We also understand that between 3,500 and 3,800 affected traders have been forced to pay as of Thursday, May 29, 2025, according to sources linked to the Market. 

“We are bold to say that no number of excuses or policy defense and sanctification can justify such imposition and forceful collection from traders that have been kept out of their legitimate businesses for more than 90 days. 

“It is also our insistence that we are steadily in solidarity with over 90% of the traders in the Market who are genuine drug traders including those trading on pharmaceutically produced and supplied products and lifesaving and body system supplement drugs. We are also in no way in support of those trading on expired, counterfeit, substandard and fake drugs or products.” 

 “It must be reminded that the Onitsha Drug Market is presently 14,000-Person strong, comprising about 7000 business owners occupying about 5000 market stalls and packing stores and estimated 7000 others comprising apprentices, salesgirls, hawkers and others providing menial services. 

“It is also recalled that we at Intersociety have consistently led the way in the campaign for the unconditional re-opening of the Market and public accountability by NAFDAC regarding its militarist, extortionist and collective punishment operations in the Market. 

“We further submitted more than ten public interest petitions and issued several media statements thereto. 

“Shockingly, NAFDAC DG received hers twice with evidential proofs of delivery but chose to ignore them till date. Time and space may not allow us at Intersociety to reproduce mind-boggling findings and far-reaching recommendations made or reflected in the referenced public interest petitions. 

 “Contrary to the National Agency for Food and Drug Control and Administration’s DG’s claims, there are three major types or categories of extortion fees introduced and enforced by the Agency at Onitsha Drug Market; namely: “Poor Storage Fee of N700,000” for every market store owner and a separate “N200,000 Poor Storage Fee” for every packing store owner at the Market. 

“Third extortionist fee is labeled: N200,000 charge for each multinational drug or product and its wholesaler including lifesaving and food and body system supplement drugs or products unregistered by NAFDAC.

“Imposed, too, was self-incriminating undertakings made mandatory for every payer-trader at the Market. 

“In other words, a wholesaler of such products who has complied with NAFDAC’s extortionist conditions is likely to have paid the Agency as follows: N1.4m (for having not registered each of brands or products) if he or she has seven brands or products; another N200,000 (for poor storage) if he or she has a packing store and another N700,000 (for poor storage) if he or she has a market store,” Intersociety further alleged.

“It is therefore our position that the NAFDAC DG (Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye), Dr Martins Iluyomade (South-East Director) and other top officials of the Agency should honorably step down to ensure unbiased, thorough and conclusive investigations into the Agency’s operational activities at Onitsha Drug Market. 

“Strongly condemned is indiscriminate resort by NAFDAC and other Government Agencies to the abrogated Cyberstalking Act of 2015, now used as instruments of State terror. 

“The rush with which the Anambra State Police Command went into the matter and took side is a clear case in point and strongly condemned. 

“It is shocking that the Anambra State Police Command is starkly ignorant of the amendments carried out in 2024 in the Cyberstalking Act of 2015, now cited as “Cyberstalking Act (as amended) 2024” in which its draconian Section 24 was surgically operated upon and most of State terror provisions deleted,” the organisation further claimed.

It commended VeryDarkMan (Martins Vicent Otse), His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Tony Nwoye, Hon Afam Ogene, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor Esquire, an international Human Rights Lawyer, leaders of Intersociety, a cross section of the Nigerian media, among others for rising in defence of the traders.


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Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members

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Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Wednesday during a state executive council meeting in Yenagoa, accompanied by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Speaker Abraham Ngobere and Deputy Speaker Faithful Ebi.

His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the move, attributing it to ‘obvious reasons’ without specifics, while Diri thanked PDP supporters and reaffirmed his dedication to Bayelsa’s progress.

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Today, I have formally resigned my membership from PDP for obvious reasons.” – Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

The defection ends the PDP’s control of the state since 1999 and hints at a potential shift to the All Progressives Congress before the 2027 elections.

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Davido Announces 5IVE Alive Tour in Five Cities in Nigeria

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Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has revealed the Nigerian dates for his 5IVE Alive Tour, linked to his fifth studio album released in April 2025, following a successful North American run.

The tour kicks off on October 26 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, and includes stops in Yola, Enugu, Ibadan, culminating on December 25 in Lagos.

Tickets are now available starting at ₦5,000 for most venues, with fans urged to purchase quickly amid high demand.


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Lagos Re-Arraigns Evans For Alleged Murder Of Two Policemen

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The Lagos State Government has re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, on a fresh murder charge involving the deaths of two police officers.

Evans and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, were re-arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

The case was transferred from Justice Adenike Coker, and according to the charge, Evans and his co-defendant allegedly killed two policemen, Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi, on August 27, 2013, around 10 p.m. at Festac Town, Lagos.

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The offences violate Section 221 of the Lagos Criminal Law, 2011.

At the proceedings, State Prosecutor A. O. Azeez confirmed the transfer of the case and requested a fresh arraignment despite Evans’ earlier plea bargain applications before the former judge.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.

The court adjourned the matter to November 19, 2025, for hearing and issuance of witness summons.

Evans has already been convicted before another court and is currently serving sentences for two of his five criminal cases.

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‘Taking Nigeria’s Situation to God’ Peter Obi’s Message After Visit to Rome

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After his visit to Rome, Peter Obi the former presidential Candidate of the Labour party in 2023 general election write what he did while in Rome.

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My Visit to the USA, Rome: Taking Nigeria’s Situation to God.

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After my 2-day trip to the United States – where I addressed the Friendship Club on Saturday, 4 October, and spoke at the 1st Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington on Sunday, 5 October – I departed that same night for Rome, arriving on 6th October to join my dearest wife, who was already in Rome waiting for me.

This year marks a Jubilee Year, an event celebrated every twenty-five years, and my dearest wife and I chose to dedicate our prayers to Nigeria. With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many challenges faced over sixty-five years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation – a rare and profound blessing for which we remain deeply thankful.

We also sought forgiveness for our national transgressions and implored God to intervene in the suffering of the Nigerian people. We prayed for the injection into our political landscape selfless and compassionate leaders whose hearts He God would touch—leaders who would be truthful in word and deed, altruistic in service, and committed to using public resources for the common good. Leaders whose decisions would reflect competence, capacity, character,  and commitment to the welfare of all. Leaders who understand that they were not created to live in isolation but in community with others, and must ensure that actions are for the benefit of the community.

On Tuesday, the 7th of October, as part of our pilgrimage, we passed through three Holy Doors of the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome, praying at each that God would open the door of His mercy to Nigeria. At St. Mary Major, we prayed, passed through the Holy Door, and reflected at the grave of the late Pope Francis. From there, we journeyed to the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where Cardinal James Harvey warmly received us, led us through the Holy Door, and shared the basilica’s rich history and the deep significance of the Jubilee Year. Our third stop was the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, where, together with other pilgrims, we passed through the Holy Door and joined in prayer. We then proceeded to the Scala Sancta – the Holy Steps which Jesus ascended before Pontius Pilate – where we prayed with profound reverence, completing a day of deep spiritual reflection at some of Rome’s most sacred sites.

On Wednesday the 8th of October, we rose early for the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we were blessed to hear the Catechesis of His Holiness on hope, perseverance, and steadfast faith in times of hardship. Afterwards, we passed through the final Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, praying and reflecting deeply on God’s mercy, thus completing our pilgrimage through the four doors with hearts filled with gratitude and renewed faith.

At St. Peter’s, we were privileged to be received in audience by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex, to whom we humbly appealed for prayers for our beloved country, Nigeria.

Along the way, we met several Nigerian pilgrims: men and women of faith whose faces shone with quiet hope. Together, we renewed our trust in God’s divine mercy and in the promise of a renewed and better Nigeria.

I believe fervently in the power and providence of God. Yet, as we lift our nation before Him in prayer, we must not surrender to fatalism. Faith does not absolve us of responsibility; rather, it calls us to action. As Nigerians, we must each continue to do our part – with honesty, diligence, and love – for the healing and progress of our country.

A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

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VIDEO: Lagos Govt demolishes Ola of Lagos showroom

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The Lagos state government has demolished the car showroom owned by popular auto dealer and influencer, Olaoluwa Osunkoya, widely known as Ola of Lagos.

The demolition took place in Lekki after authorities found that the structure was built directly beneath 33kV high-tension power lines, a violation of safety regulations.


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