NAFDAC Dismisses VDM’s Extortion Allegation, Raises Cybercrime Law Concerns

NAFDAC Dismisses VDM’s Extortion Allegation, Raises Cybercrime Law Concerns

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has strongly refuted claims made by social media influencer Very Dark Man (VDM), who accused the agency of extorting ₦700,000 from traders during a regulatory operation at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.

In a statement issued Tuesday, NAFDAC described VDM’s video commentary as “inciting” and warned that his actions may violate Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act. The agency confirmed that the matter has been reported to security authorities for investigation.

VDM had earlier posted a widely circulated video on Instagram, surrounded by traders, in which he alleged that NAFDAC extorted ₦700,000 from them for an unspecified service.

He displayed a document he claimed was proof of payment and threatened to pursue legal action.

In response, NAFDAC maintained that its enforcement activities followed established protocols and that penalties levied against the traders were backed by gazetted federal regulations. The agency explained that inspections in three major open drug markets revealed widespread violations of Good Storage and Distribution Practices.

Additionally, NAFDAC noted that none of the affected premises were registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), constituting a direct violation of federal law.

Regarding the payment in question, NAFDAC clarified that a ₦5 million investigative charge was imposed on individuals caught selling unregistered products. However, this was reduced to ₦200,000 following appeals. A separate ₦2 million fine for violating storage standards was also cut down to ₦500,000.

“These are Federal Government-gazetted charges and payments,” NAFDAC stated, calling VDM’s accusations of theft “baseless and misleading.”

Earlier, NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye had condemned the influencer’s video, stressing that it could incite public unrest and obstruct regulatory enforcement.

“What this perpetrator has done is to openly tell his audience to defy the regulatory processes of NAFDAC,” she said. She further clarified that the agency’s enforcement was conducted under the directive of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

While NAFDAC initially withheld a direct response to the ₦700,000 claim, Tuesday’s statement provided a comprehensive breakdown of the imposed charges, emphasizing that all actions were within the agency’s legal mandate.

NAFDAC urged Nigerians to ignore what it called misinformation and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health through strict regulatory enforcement.

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“NAFDAC is working firmly within the purview of her mandate,” the Director General reiterated.

The agency concluded by stating that security agencies and legal authorities would determine whether VDM’s conduct constitutes a breach of the Cybercrime Act.

“We remain committed to ensuring that all medical products, medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and more used in Nigeria are of good quality, safe, and effective. These efforts are vital in reducing maternal and child mortality, improving life expectancy, and protecting citizens with chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes,” said Prof. Adeyeye.