AFOMED Pharmaceutical Company, based in Lagos, has been accused of manufacturing illicit drugs which include tramadol, lagatin among others. The company was also alleged of other ‘nefarious activities’ and anti-labour practices under its watch.
These multiple allegations were made by a group of civil organizations in a letter they wrote to the chairman of the company, Mr Akin Bakare, and made available to newsheadline247. “We are a Coalition of Developmental, Anti-Corruption, Pro – Labour, Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs), with membership across the nooks and crannies of the country,” the group said in the opening lines of the letter.
According to the letter jointly signed by Olufemi Akindele Lawson of the Transparency and Accountability Group and Omotaje Olawale – Saint of the WorkBond International Network, (WIN), the manager of the company, Taiwo Adedeji was accused of engaging in “illicit operations” without the knowledge of the owner of the company, Mr Bakare.
“Our preliminary investigations reveal that the registered owner of the company, Mr. Bakare Is not aware of the illicit operations the Manager has been deploying the machinery as well as premises of the firm to carry out for years. Bakare is based outside the country and only visit just about twice within the year. During this visitation, Adedeji always cover up the nefarious operations with the smoke screen of the drugs, duly patented under the licence of this company,” the letter stated.
It was stated further that these acts have generally dragged the corporate identity of the company into the mud of alleged “illicit proliferation of fake malaria drugs, using registered licence of a shell firm, FALMA.”
It was also pointed out that employees are subjected to numerous ” Industrial Hazards and Injuries”. The group stated in the petition that “There are reported cases of workers falling into coma and temporary loss of their mental faculties after un-protected exposure, inhaling chemical substances used in the course of production.”
The group vowed to further embark on a full-scale investigation of the company’s activities.
Read the letter in full below;
04/07/2023
Mr. Akin Bakare
Chairman.
AFOMED Pharmaceutical Company
Km. 34, Lagos – Abeokuta, Expressway
AMJE, Lagos, Nigeria
ATTENTION :- TAIWO ADEDEJI
Manager,
Dear Sir,
REPORT OF ILLICIT MANUFACTURING OF TRAMADOL, LAGATIN DRUGS, AND, OTHER NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES, ANTI – LABOUR PRACTICES UNDER YOUR WATCH
We are a Coalition of Developmental, Anti – Corruption, pro – Labour, Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs), with membership across the nooks and crannies of the country . We equally have “Social Partnerships”, with continental as well as global Non – Governmental Institutions. We have been inundated with accounts of your company’s unscrupulous, criminal transactions in the production of ‘Restricted’ pharmaceutical Substances” by your Manager, Mr. TAIWO ADEDEJI. We are using this medium to seek clarifications from you before embarking on further, necessary imperative “Affirmative Actions”.
Our preliminary investigations reveal that the registered owner of the company, Mr. Bakare Is not aware of the illicit operations the Manager has been deploying the machinery as well as premises of the firm to carry out for years . Bakare is based outside the country and only visit just about twice within the year. During this visitation, Adedeji always cover up the nefarious operations with the smoke screen of the drugs , duly patented under the licence of this company .
However, the company corporate identity is generally dragged in the mud of illicit proliferation of fake malaria drugs, using registered licence of a shell firm, FALMA.
Some of the key infractions which are before us include;
(I). The production of a banned drug, “TRAMADOL” largely for distribution in Lagos, the Northern part of the country and across our borders . This is largely on “Orders” by a client who is a former, Police Officer. These drugs do not conform with prescribed dosage nor were they prescribed for usage by fit and proper medical practitioners.
(II). You equally, illegally manufacture, sell and distribute “LAGATIN” – a drug used to treat ” Mental fatigue” without requisite legal approvals and licensing.
(III).Under the Manager’s directive, for pecuniary purposes, you also produced “Sub – Standard Household Malaria Drugs” for a shady drug merchant Mr. Darlington.
(IV). In the course of production of these Hard Drugs for illegal transactions, employees are subjected to numerous ” Industrial Hazards and Injuries”. There are reported cases of workers falling into coma and temporary loss of their mental faculties after un-protected exposure , inhaling chemical substances used in the course of production.
Be it on records, that we are prepared to initiate steps for full investigations of the firm under your watch at the lapse of Forty Eight (48) hours after receipt of this petition.
Yours in Service to Humanity,
For, and on Behalf:
Olufemi Akindele Lawson
Transparency and Accountability Group ( TAG )
08035480885
Omotaje Olawale – Saint
WorkBond International Network, (WIN).
08106786992.
CC
(1) World Health Organisations (WHO)
(2) Ministry of Health: Ministry of Labour & Productivity
(3) National Food, Drugs Administration And Control (NAFDAC)
(4) National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
(5) Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
(6) Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)
(7) The Media
