The Federal High Court of Nigeria has sentenced two men, Otuorimuno Nelson Aziakpono, 58, and Ikegwuonu Davidson Ikechukwu, 28, to a combined 40 years in prison for offences related to the production, possession, and distribution of adulterated alcohol in Lagos.
The court’s verdict highlights the growing concern over counterfeit alcoholic beverages in Nigeria and underscores the urgent need for strict enforcement to protect public health.
The convictions stemmed from a meticulous enforcement operation conducted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on December 3, 2025.
Officials carried out raids at two locations—Kojo Street in Ijanikin and Vespa Market—where they discovered large stocks of counterfeit and unregistered alcoholic beverages.
NAFDAC described the findings as “extremely hazardous” to consumers, with products falsely labelled and misleadingly packaged to mimic legitimate brands.
Among the recovered items were fake and unregistered variants of well-known alcoholic brands, including Hennessy, Jameson Irish Whiskey, William Lawson’s, and Gordon’s Gin.
Laboratory tests confirmed that the beverages were unwholesome and unsafe for human consumption.
According to NAFDAC, consuming adulterated alcohol poses serious health risks, ranging from poisoning and organ damage to long-term complications, including blindness and death in extreme cases.
The two men faced eight counts in court, including possession of substandard goods, manufacture of counterfeit beverages, and distribution of unregistered alcoholic products.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that the defendants were operating a sophisticated network that produced and circulated these dangerous products across Lagos.
The prosecution emphasized that their actions directly threatened public safety and violated several regulatory laws governing food and drug safety in Nigeria.
In its statement, NAFDAC reiterated the agency’s commitment to combating the production and circulation of adulterated alcohol nationwide.
The agency explained that enforcement operations would continue to be intensified across all states, particularly in urban centers like Lagos where the demand for alcoholic beverages is high and the circulation of counterfeit products is widespread.
NAFDAC also encouraged the public to remain vigilant, advising consumers to report suspicious beverages or suspicious sellers to the nearest agency office.
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that adulterated alcohol is a major contributor to preventable illnesses and fatalities in Nigeria.
The combination of harmful chemicals and improper manufacturing processes in counterfeit beverages can lead to acute poisoning, liver damage, neurological complications, and even death.
By cracking down on offenders like Aziakpono and Ikechukwu, authorities aim not only to punish violators but also to deter others who might consider entering the illicit alcohol trade.
The Lagos State government commended NAFDAC for its proactive enforcement strategy.
Officials emphasized that public safety remains a top priority, particularly in densely populated markets and streets where counterfeit alcoholic drinks are most often sold.
They also assured residents that collaboration between law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and local communities is crucial to halting the spread of dangerous beverages.
This case serves as a warning to both producers and consumers.
NAFDAC urged individuals to buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed distributors and to always check for proper registration labels and packaging.
Consumers were also advised to report any products with suspicious labeling, unusual colors, or strange odors, which are common indicators of counterfeit or adulterated drinks.
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