From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced a businesswoman, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, to two years imprisonment for operating unregistered pharmaceutical premises and unlawfully practising as a pharmacist, contrary to the provisions of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Act.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment in absentia after finding the defendant guilty on multiple counts bordering on the illegal operation of pharmaceutical outlets without registration and dispensing medicines without the requisite qualifications.
The charges, filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Charge No. FHC/CA/76C/2025, arose from offences allegedly committed in August 2024 in Calabar.
According to court documents obtained by The Triumph on Monday, Kamchukwube operated two pharmaceutical outlets without registration or authorisation from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
One outlet, known as 24 Hours Pharmaceuticals, is located along Marian Road, while the second is situated opposite Kokoz Cosmetics Shop on Abang Asang Street, Etta Agbor Road.
The court further found that the convict practised as a pharmacist despite not being registered or licensed by the regulatory body, in violation of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
Speaking with journalists after the judgment, the prosecuting counsel and Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Aliyu Okayode, said the prosecution successfully proved that the defendant was neither a registered pharmacist nor authorised to operate pharmaceutical premises.
“This is a case of an individual operating pharmaceutical premises without registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria as required by law, and also presenting herself as a qualified pharmacist when she is not,” Okayode stated.
He noted that the court found her guilty on five counts relating to the illegal operation of pharmaceutical premises and other violations of the Act.
The prosecution also established that the defendant dispensed medicines without holding a valid licence and rendered pharmaceutical services outside the legal framework established by the council.
In addition, she was accused of tampering with enforcement measures by breaking the seal and lock placed on one of the premises by officials of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
Okayode disclosed that the court imposed a custodial sentence and directed relevant authorities to enforce the judgment.
“The punishment ranges from two years imprisonment to the option of a fine. The court has directed that she be located wherever she is and handed over to the correctional centre to serve her sentence,” he said.
The court also declared the convict wanted and ordered security agencies to arrest and transfer her to correctional authorities whenever she is apprehended.
Counsel to the defendant, Ekpe Esor, declined to comment on the judgment and did not address journalists after the proceedings.
