A Lagos-based trader, Ibeh Magnus Nkemakonam, has admitted possessing, storing, distributing and selling expired wine named Mosto tinto.
Ibeh who trades under the Name and Style of Magkem Investment, admitted committing the dastardly acts before Justice Yelim Bogoro of a Federal High Court, Lagos, today, after he pleaded guilty to the three counts charge made against him by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The 48 year-old trader a resident of Block 3, 7th Avenue, Festac Lagos, whose shop is located at Balogun Business Association, Trading Complex, Lagos, was alleged to have committed the offences alongside one Okafor James Cyril, said to be at large, on April 3, 2024.
He had denied the allegations by pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was previously arraigned before the court sometimes in 2024. And he was thereafter admitted to bail in some terms.
However, at the resumed trial of the matter today, the trader signified his intention to change his plea, hence that charges were read to him and he pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following, his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Cynthia Igweiro, prayed the court for a date to review the facts of the matter. While also urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
The trader through his lawyer did not opposed to the prosecutor’s request.
Consequently, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter to November 18, 2026, for review of facts and sentencing.
Charges against the trader read: “that you, Ibeh Magnus Nkemakonam, Male, 48 years old, of Block 3, 7th Avenue, Festac Lagos, on or about the 3rd day of April, 2024, at Balogun Business Association, Trading Complex, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, was found in possession of unwholesome processed food to wit: Mosto tinto, which have expired and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.
“That you, Ibeh Magnus Nkemakonam, Male, 48 years old, of Block 3, 7th Avenue, Festac Lagos, on or about the 3rd day of April, 2024, at Balogun Business Association Trading Complex, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did store an article of food to wit: -Mosto tinto, which is unfit for human consumption and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)b of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Ibeh Magnus Nkemakonam, Male, 48 years old, of Block 3, 7th Avenue, Festac Lagos, on or about the 3rd day of April, 2024, at Balogun Business Association, Trading Complex, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did store an adulterated article of food to wit: – Mosto tinto, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap. F32, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(1) of the same Act.”