NAFDAC Urged to Investigate Unregistered Facebook Products

Azubuike Ihemeje, a lawyer based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has filed a petition with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the sale of unregistered cosmetics on Facebook and social media platforms.

Using a public interest petition, the attorney alerted the agency to the activities of one vendor and her cohorts, who allegedly sell concoctions that may harm the health and well-being of members of society.

According to Ihemeje, the advertisement and promotion of the illegal products by the collaborators is in flagrant breach of Sections 2,3,4, and 5 of the NAFDAC Act 2004.

“We write as public interest solicitors and as patriotic citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with a deep sense of responsibility to promote justice through adherence to regulations, the laws of Nigeria, and to protect public interest, integrity, and safety of citizens of Nigeria and other members of the public. It is in the light of the above that we, respectfully, forward this public interest petition and request your urgent intervention on the subject under reference.”

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Ihemeje alleged that for a long time, Facebook has been littered with multiple posts, publications, advertisements, and sales of unregistered and unapproved cosmetic products by a vendor, who resides around the Lekki area of Lagos State known on Facebook as ANGIE SOUND MIND.

“The said Facebook user (name withheld) has been advertising, promoting, and in actual terms sold differently unregistered and unapproved cosmetic products to the general public through Facebook posts, some containing videos and pictures. That these unregistered and unapproved concoctions disguised as cosmetic products have the tendency of causing more danger to the health and well-being of members of society, particularly, given the steep rise in the cases of skin cancer, allergies, discolouration, texture alteration, and permanent damage to the skin. Hence, this petition is written in good faith.”

He noted that if the agency did not intervene quickly, the entire enterprise has the risk of not only eroding public morals but could also lead to a national health disaster of monumental proportions.

“We request, as a matter of urgency, that you use your good offices to fully activate your public education mechanism, warn unsuspecting members of the public about the consumption of unapproved products, arrest and prosecute all offenders in this particular case, to serve as a deterrent to others,” he stated, urging NAFDAC to investigate those involved in the interest of public safety, integrity, and justice.