A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Friday convicted and setenced two employees of Barewa Pharmaceutical
Company Ltd, Adeyemo Abiodun and Ebele Eromosele.
to seven years imprisonment,
The company and its employees were charged on an amended six-count charged of the production of a killer syrup, “my pikin.”
There was mild drama, midway into the judgment, as one of the convicts suddenly began to collapse.
Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke in his judgment, convicted the accused on two counts, while he acquitted them of four counts.
The Judge accordingly sentenced the accused to seven years imprisonment each on the offence, while he ordered the company to be compulsorily wound up and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
“The prosecution tendered several exhibits in the trial of the
accused, but failed to lead evidence that the accused actually produced
the adulterated drugs.
“I hereby find the accused not guilty of counts one, two, five and six, dealing with production and adulteration of drugs, while I find them guilty of counts three and four which is conspiracy and sale of the drugs.
“The accused are hereby convicted as charged” the court held.
Shortly after allocutus by defence counsel, the first accused Adeyemo Abiodun, suddenly started shaking and gradually began to collapse.
The judge then summoned the medical doctor in charge of the Federal High Court, who after examining the accused, confirmed he was hypertensive, and his blood pressure, very high.
Justice Okeke ordered that the accused be offered a seat but however, proceeded with delivering the sentence.
“In as much as I appreciate the passionate plea of learned silk, especially considering the state of the first accused, I am however, bound by the provisions of the law.
“Having found the accused guilty on two counts, the convicts are hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment each on the charge.
The charges are to run concurrently.
“The company is also ordered to be wound up compulsorily, in line with the provisions of the law, and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government” Okeke ruled.
It will be recalled that the said “My Pikin syrup was reported to have killed over 80 children in the country.
In the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses, while the defence called only one witness.
The offence for which the convicts are sentenced, contravenes the provisions of section 1 (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome processed foods (Miscellaneous provisions) Act No. 25 of 1999.
It attracts an imprisonment term not less than five years or more than 15 years, or a fine of N500,000, or both fine and imprisonment.
>>vanguardnews
The company and its employees were charged on an amended six-count charged of the production of a killer syrup, “my pikin.”
There was mild drama, midway into the judgment, as one of the convicts suddenly began to collapse.
Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke in his judgment, convicted the accused on two counts, while he acquitted them of four counts.
The Judge accordingly sentenced the accused to seven years imprisonment each on the offence, while he ordered the company to be compulsorily wound up and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
My Pikin teething mixture:
“I hereby find the accused not guilty of counts one, two, five and six, dealing with production and adulteration of drugs, while I find them guilty of counts three and four which is conspiracy and sale of the drugs.
“The accused are hereby convicted as charged” the court held.
Shortly after allocutus by defence counsel, the first accused Adeyemo Abiodun, suddenly started shaking and gradually began to collapse.
The judge then summoned the medical doctor in charge of the Federal High Court, who after examining the accused, confirmed he was hypertensive, and his blood pressure, very high.
Justice Okeke ordered that the accused be offered a seat but however, proceeded with delivering the sentence.
“In as much as I appreciate the passionate plea of learned silk, especially considering the state of the first accused, I am however, bound by the provisions of the law.
“Having found the accused guilty on two counts, the convicts are hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment each on the charge.
The charges are to run concurrently.
“The company is also ordered to be wound up compulsorily, in line with the provisions of the law, and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government” Okeke ruled.
It will be recalled that the said “My Pikin syrup was reported to have killed over 80 children in the country.
In the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses, while the defence called only one witness.
The offence for which the convicts are sentenced, contravenes the provisions of section 1 (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome processed foods (Miscellaneous provisions) Act No. 25 of 1999.
It attracts an imprisonment term not less than five years or more than 15 years, or a fine of N500,000, or both fine and imprisonment.
>>vanguardnews
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