Operatives of the National Agency For Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday disclosed that the Agency had nabbed a syndicate suspect who specialised in implementing NAFDAC and useing it to scam foreign countries with fake documents.
The suspect, who was identified as Mr. Ikoro Mang Ifendu, of No. 26, Park Road, Aba, Abia state, was arrested for obtaining money by false pretence and impersonating an NAFDAC staff member.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday at Isolo Auditorium in Lagos, the Director General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said Mr. Ifendu, born on January 2, 1973, was arrested on February 7, 2025, at Ogborn Hills, Aba, Abia state.
She said the suspect “is a native of Amamba village, Abiriba in Ohafia LGA, Abia state, with an SSCE and deals in clothing materials.”
According to her, the suspect is in “our custody and is cooperating with the investigation”.
She said, “This case was reported by Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE following their application to register Dry Fish (Seafood). Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and other companies from various countries fell victim to this fraud.
“In a petition from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group reported to NAFDAC of the possible impersonation of the fraudsters as NAFDAC’s official using the NAFDAC’s letterhead and name headed by Mr. Ikoro Mang Ifendu, who has duped the company to the tune of thousands of dollar and millions of Naira.
“These fraudsters or syndicates operate in a three-pronged scheme involving the buyer, bank, and lawyer. Initially, the buyer contacts foreign companies to purchase and import goods into Nigeria. Subsequently, they introduce these companies to any of these banks for payment. The bank then declares that due to the lack of NAFDAC approval, the foreign companies are unable to export to Nigeria. “Afterward, a legal counsel is introduced to the companies, claiming that they can obtain an NAFDAC certificate through this lawyer. The lawyer then receives payments in stages and issues fraudulent receipts and counterfeits of NAFDAC certificates to the companies.”