The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), has arrested 70-year-old Lagos-based businesswoman, Mrs Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya,ƴ for allegedly importing fake sugar and selling as Dangote Sugar.

The businesswoman was arrested alongside one of her workers, Femi Abraham Adebiyi, at their shop located at 1, Tailor Road, Iddo, Lagos, on August 2, 2017.

A source from NAFDAC, told our reporter that the suspects were arrested at their shop where they were re-bagging and repackaging some unregistered  and non fortified sugar imported from Brazil and China into Dangote Sugar bags with labels.

The source stated that the unregistered and non-fortified Brazilian and Chinese granulated sugars which the businesswoman repackaged into Dangote sugar bags including; Aqucar Crystal Sugar; Aqucar Special Crystal sugar; and Usina Belavista sugar.

These sugar, the source said, are not fortified with Vitamin ‘A’, which he claimed to be contrary to NAFDAC Act.

The source also stated that apart from repackaging the said non-fortified sugar and selling same to the public as Dangote sugar, the businesswoman failed to register the Brazilian granulated sugar with NAFDAC.

Meanwhile,  NAFDAC has prepared a four-count charge against the two suspects and their company.

NAFDAC in the charge marked FHC/L/293c/17, leveled against the 70-year-old businesswoman, her worker and firm, Femi Abraham Adebiyi, and Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya Nigeria Limited, reads: “that you Esther Akinsanya, Femi Abraham Adebiyi, and Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya Nigeria Limited, on or about August 2, 2017, at 1, Tailor Road, Iddo, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court packaged various brand of unregistered Brazilian granulated sugar to wit: Aqucar Crystal Sugar; Aqucar Special Crystal sugar; and Usina Belavista sugar, into Dangote granulated sugar bags, in a manner that is false contrary to section 5(a) of the Food and Drugs Act Cap l. F.33, LFN 2004, and punishable under sections 17(1) and (2) of the same Act”.

Count two reads: “That you Esther Akinsanya, Femi Abraham Adebiyi, and Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya Nigeria Limited, on or about August 2, 2017, at 1, Tailor Road, Iddo, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did sell Aqucar Crystal Sugar; Aqucar Special Crystal sugar; and Usina Belavista sugar as Dangote Sugar, in a manner likely to create wrong impression as to its value contrary to section 5(a) of the Food and Drugs Act Cap l. F.33, LFN 2004, and punishable under sections 17(1) and (2) of the same Act”.

Count three reads: “That you Esther Akinsanya, Femi Abraham Adebiyi, and Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya Nigeria Limited, on or about August 2, 2017, at 1, Tailor Road, Iddo, Lagos state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, imported various brands of granulated Brazilian sugar to wit: Aqucar Crystal Sugar; Aqucar Special Crystal sugar; and Usina Belavista sugar, without registration, contrary to section 1(1) of the Food, Drugs and related products (Registration) Act Cap. F.33, LFN 2004, and punishable under sections 6 (1) (a) and (b) of the same Act”.

The fourth count reads: “That you Esther Akinsanya, Femi Abraham Adebiyi, and Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya Nigeria Limited, on or about August 2, 2017, at 1, Tailor Road, Iddo, Lagos, imported food to wit: Aqucar Crystal Sugar; Aqucar Special Crystal sugar; and Usina Belavista sugar as Dangote Sugar, which are not fortified with Vitamin ‘A’, contrary to section 1(1) of the Food forrification with Vitamin ‘A’ regulation 2005, and punishable under sections 8(1) and (2) of the same Act”.

Meanwhile, the suspects would have been arraigned earlier in the week but for the alleged sickness of the principal suspect, Esther Olufunmilayo Akinsanya.

Consequenly Justice Abdullazeez Anka of the Federal High Court, Lagos has adjourned the matter till after vacation.