Calabar Court Jails Woman 8 Years for Illegal Pharmacy Operations

(Businesswoman Pharmacy Operations. Photo Credit: Aplha News Online)

Ezea Kamchukwube, a woman, was sentenced to eight years in jail by the Federal High Court in Calabar for operating two pharmacies illegally in Calabar, Cross River State.

The convict was charged with violating the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022 by running pharmacies without registration and permitting unfit individuals to sell medications.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defendant filed a case under Charge No. FHC/CA/76C/2025.

Judge Ijeoma Ojukwu found the defendant guilty on counts pertaining to the unlawful operation of "24 Hours Pharmaceuticals" along Marian Road and another pharmacy across from Kokoz Cosmetics Shop, Abang Asang Street, Etta-Agbor Road, Calabar, during his ruling on Monday.

"That you, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube, female, adult, businesswoman, did practice in the capacity of a registered pharmacist, vendor, and pharmaceutical representative while not being registered, in violation of Section 32(2) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2022," the statement read.

After a standard inspection and enforcement action, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria officers sealed the two stores, according to Justice Ojukwu. However, Ezea Isidora Kamchukwube later unsealed the pharmacies and carried on with business as usual.

The offender was given an eight-year prison sentence after the court determined that the acts were in violation of Sections 32(2), 54(1), 54(2), and 53(d) of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.

The ruling, according to Aliyu Okayode, Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a means of punishing those who run pharmacies without registering with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria as required by law.

She was accused of practicing pharmacy without the required legal registration and license. We are here for that reason. That is the accusation that the court is considering.

In front of the court, we were able to prove that she was not registered. And the court sentenced her for not complying,” he added.

In the meantime, Ekpe Esor, the defendant's attorney, declined to comment on the matter or provide media who were present in court an interview.