Some individuals have petitioned the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) regarding the sale of unlicensed cosmetic items on social media platforms.
Azubuike Ihemeje, a public interest attorney from Port Harcourt, filed a petition with SON and NAFDAC against the sale of unlicensed cosmetics goods on social media sites, particularly Facebook.
The attorney specifically named Angela Nwosu and others, alleging that they were peddling mixtures that could be hazardous to the public's health.
He asserted that Nwosu and associates were flagrantly in violation of sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the NAFDAC Act 2004 when they advertised and promoted the illicit items.
The petition read in part: “It is in the light of the above that we very respectfully, forward this public interest petition and request your urgent and immediate intervention on the subject under reference.
“The said Angela Nwosu has been advertising, promoting and in actual terms sold different unregistered and unapproved concoction-based cosmetic products to the general public through Facebook posts – some containing videos and pictures.
“That these unregistered and unapproved cosmetic concoctions disguised as cosmetic products have the tendency of causing more dangers to the health and well-being of members of the society, particularly given the steep rise in the cases of skin cancer, allergies, discolouration, texture alteration and permanent damage to the skin. Hence, this petition is written in good faith.
“We, therefore, request that you immediately assemble your best team of investigators and enforcement unit to investigate the activities of Angela Nwosu and her cohorts in the interest of the public, public safety, integrity and justice.”
However, while responding to the petition, SON, commended the lawyer for discharging his civil responsibility of escalating the issue to relevant authorities.
The Director of Legal Services, SON, Bashir Hamis, who issued the commendation letter on behalf of the Director General/Chief Executive of SON, yesterday, also expressed optimism of future collaboration with lawyer on issues of same nature.
He said: “I am to bring to your notice also that the Organisation is of the view that your petition bordering on the online sale of unregistered and unapproved cosmetic products in breach of Sections 2,3,4 and 5 of the NAFDAC Act, has been properly routed.
“While we look forward to collaborating with you on issues like this in the future, please accept the warm regards of the Director General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).”