The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has arrested five suspects for selling expired products.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Paul Orhi was represented by Head of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Kingsley Ejiofor, on Friday at a news conference.

He said that one Charles Onyekachi was arrested for counterfeiting Derica tomato paste.

“Onyekachi imported 1x20ft. container from China and shipped to Cotonou, Benin Republic from where it was transported to Kano. He has registered products with the agency among which is the Tomatoes paste.

“He now sells his registered brand along with the counterfeit to discredit the popular Derica Tomatoe Paste with an intent to gain market space. The quantity and value of the counterfeit released into the market is four times that of his own brand. The counterfeit product is worth N8 million.

“A criminal charge has been filed against him at the Federal High Court, Lagos,” he said.

Also two suspects, Tochukwu Ozala and Obiora Ochuba were arrested for production, distribution and sale of counterfeit Maxiquine Syrup.

He said the suspects were arrested by the police in Onitsha with four bags of empty bottles of Maxiquine Syrup, four litres of white liquid chemicals, one bottle of unlabelled substance and 12 empty cartons.