The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has demanded the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to refund all the money collected from traders in Onitsha drug market rounding up to over ₦3 billion.
The human rights organization questioned the legality and morality of the collections from Ọgbọ Ọgwụ traders(Onitsha Drug Market) in Anambra State.
This demand was contained in a statement jointly signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi (Head of Intersociety), Chinwe Umeche (Human Rights Lawyer and Head, Democracy and Good Governance), and Chidinma Evangeline Udegbunam (Head, Religious Freedom and Human Rights, on Saturday.
According to the group, the collection is highly exploitative and of no good cause so the NAFDAC was called on to refund the total money including a 20% interest.
Earlier in the week, NAFDAC had imposed a fine of #700,000 on some shops in the drug market after it had been shut down for more than three months over allegations that they sell fake and substandard drugs.
Meanwhile, the intersociety is demanding accountability and fairness, emphasizing that regulatory enforcement does not mean that the citizens should be collectively punished or economical oppressed.
The statement reads; “We understand that between 3,500 and 3,800 affected traders were forced to make the payment as of Thursday, May 29, 2025.
“We are bold to say that no number of excuses or policy defenses can justify such imposition and forceful collection from traders who have already been out of business for over 90 days.”
