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….NAFDAC Refutes Extortion Allegation by Influencer, Cites Legal Penalties and Public Health Violations
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has categorically denied allegations of extortion leveled by social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM) concerning regulatory actions at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.
VDM, in the video circulated on Instagram, appeared alongside protesting traders and brandished what he described as a receipt for the payment. He accused NAFDAC officials of demanding the sum for a service that was not clearly explained and threatened legal action against the agency. “We’re not going to let this slide,” VDM said. “This is pure extortion, and someone must be held accountable.”
Responding to the claims, NAFDAC said the payments were legitimate regulatory penalties imposed following enforcement operations at three major open drug markets, where all inspected shops were found in breach of Good Storage and Distribution Practices. “None of the facilities inspected were registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), which is a direct violation of federal regulations,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC explained that a ₦5 million fine for the sale of unregistered products was reduced to ₦200,000 after appeals, and a ₦2 million penalty for storage violations was lowered to ₦500,000. “These are Federal Government-gazetted charges,” said NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye. “To claim extortion is not only misleading but dangerous.”
The agency further warned that VDM’s comments could amount to incitement under the Cybercrime Act and confirmed the matter had been referred to security authorities. “What this perpetrator has done is to openly tell his audience to defy the regulatory processes of NAFDAC,” said Prof. Adeyeye. “This undermines the rule of law and poses a threat to public health.”
Reiterating its commitment to protecting Nigerians, the agency urged the public to disregard misinformation. “We remain committed to ensuring that all medicines, vaccines, and medical products in circulation are safe, effective, and of the highest quality,” Prof. Adeyeye said.
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