The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a major fraud syndicate led by Mr. Ikoro Mang Ifendua, who allegedly scammed foreign companies by posing as a NAFDAC official.
Mr. Ifendua, a resident of Aba, Abia State, was arrested on February 7, 2025, following an investigation into complaints from Thani Almaeeni Trading Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The company had applied to register dried seafood in Nigeria but later discovered that the certificates and receipts issued to them were fake.
According to NAFDAC, the syndicate operated a sophisticated scheme involving fake letterheads, fraudulent receipts, and counterfeit NAFDAC certificates. They convinced foreign businesses that NAFDAC approval was required to export goods to Nigeria and charged them exorbitant fees through fraudulent bank accounts.
Investigations revealed that the group ran multiple bank accounts, receiving over $950,000 in Nigeria and $450,000 in offshore accounts in Cotonou, Benin Republic. Authorities confirmed that unsuspecting victims were still sending money, with a recent alert showing an additional $75,000 deposit into one of the accounts.
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Several international companies fell victim to the scam, including firms from China, Japan, Poland, Korea, the UAE, and the United States. Fake NAFDAC certificates, forged receipts, and falsified documents bearing the names of past NAFDAC officials were among the materials used to perpetrate the fraud.
NAFDAC has vowed to take strict action against fraudulent registration agents and is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expand the investigation. The agency has also warned the public against using unverified consultants for product registration, urging businesses to visit the official NAFDAC website for legitimate applications.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC's Director General, assured the public that the agency has strengthened its Investigation and Enforcement Task Force to clamp down on fraudulent activities. She emphasized that anyone found guilty of impersonation and document falsification will face legal consequences.
NAFDAC has advised all affected companies and individuals to come forward with any information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
