Lagos Court Sends Man to Jail Over Fake Alcohol Drinks

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday sent a 46-year-old man, Okafor Isioma, to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service. This follows claims that he produced, distributed, and sold unregistered alcoholic drinks, such as Casamigos tequila and Red Label whisky.

Justice Ibrahim Kala ordered that Isioma stay at the correctional centre while waiting for his bail application to be heard.

Earlier, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) brought Isioma to court on a four-count charge marked FHC/LAG/CR/961/2026. These charges include perverting the course of justice, producing and selling unregistered processed foods and drinks, and aiding and abetting.

Isioma faces accusations of blocking NAFDAC officials from doing their job, selling unregistered food products, and helping in the alleged production of bad alcoholic drinks.

Prosecution lawyer N.M. Emman-Afoka informed the court that the accused committed these offences on September 11, 2026, at No. 49, Ipodo Street, off Ikodo Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

The prosecutor claimed that Isioma obstructed NAFDAC officials by not revealing where people involved in the production of the fake alcoholic drinks were.

Additionally, he was accused of aiding two men, Dominic Oregbu from Aba, Abia State, and another man named Alex, who are currently missing, in making the bad Casamigos tequila and Red Label whisky.

Emman-Afoka further claimed that Isioma stopped the agency's officials from getting important information needed for their investigation.

The prosecution stated that these actions broke Sections 25(1) and 1(1) of the NAFDAC Act, Cap. N1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. These offences are punishable under Section 25(2) of the same Act.

Isioma also faced accusations of violating Section 1(c) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. C34, LFN, 2004, which is punishable under Section 3 of the Act.

Despite the charges, he pleaded not guilty.

After his plea, the prosecutor asked the court to set a trial date and keep the defendant in custody until the charges are resolved.

Defence lawyer A. Wodi requested a short adjournment to file a bail application for Isioma.

After hearing both sides, Justice Kala ordered that Isioma be held in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until his bail application is heard. The judge then set the next trial date for November 18, 2026.