By Felix Asuquo, Calabar
A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a businesswoman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to eight years imprisonment for operating unregistered pharmacies and engaging in the illegal practice of pharmacy.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu handed down the sentence on Monday after finding the defendant guilty of multiple offences under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
The convict was arraigned by the Federal Government under Charge No. FHC/CA/76C/2025 on charges bordering on the operation of pharmaceutical premises without registration and allowing unqualified persons to dispense drugs.
The court heard that Kamchukwube operated two pharmaceutical outlets in Calabar without approval from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria. The facilities were identified as “24 Hours Pharmaceuticals” located along Marian Road and another pharmacy opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop on Abang Asang Street, Etta Agbor Road.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ojukwu held that the defendant unlawfully practised as a pharmacist despite not being registered by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, contrary to the provisions of the law.
The judge further found that officials of the Pharmacy Council had sealed the premises during an enforcement exercise, but the defendant later broke the seals and resumed business activities in defiance of regulatory directives.
According to the court, the actions violated Sections 32(2), 53(d), 54(1) and 54(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
Speaking after the judgment, Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, and prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Okayode, described the conviction as a warning to individuals operating pharmaceutical premises without proper registration and licences.
He said the prosecution successfully proved that the defendant was neither a registered pharmacist nor authorised to run pharmaceutical facilities.
“We established before the court that she was operating pharmaceutical premises without registration and practising pharmacy without the necessary qualifications and licence required by law. The court agreed with our submissions and convicted her accordingly,” Okayode stated.
He added that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to operators who endanger public health by engaging in illegal pharmaceutical practices.
Counsel to the defendant, Ekpe Esor, declined to comment on the judgment when approached by journalists after the proceedings.
