The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to strengthen regulatory measures to curb the sale and distribution of expired and adulterated products across the state.
The call followed a motion on notice sponsored by the member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, Mrs.Selinah Ukpatu, during plenary .
Presenting the motion, Mrs Ukpatu expressed concern over reports of expired products being sold in supermarkets, shops and open markets, noting that inadequate inspections, weak enforcement and poor disposal practices had continued to expose unsuspecting consumers, particularly children, the elderly and other vulnerable members of society, to preventable health hazards.
Following extensive deliberations, the House resolved to urge the State Government, through the Ministries of Health and Commerce and Industry, to intensify routine and unannounced inspections of supermarkets, shops and open markets to prevent the sale of expired products.
The lawmakers also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to strengthen surveillance, enforcement and consumer protection measures against expired, adulterated and substandard products.
In his ruling, the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikakabasi Orok, to communicate the resolutions of the House to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, and the Chairman responsible for matters relating to fake and counterfeit drugs for immediate action.
Meanwhile, The House has called for the immediate activation of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal, urging relevant authorities to conclude the process for appointing its substantive President and commence full judicial operations.
The House made the call following a motion by the member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Mr Eric Akpan, during plenary held at the Assembly complex along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
Akpan expressed concern over the prolonged inactivity of the Court, despite its establishment through legislation by the State Assembly in 2012 and the provision of infrastructure across designated locations in the state.
He observed that the continued absence of a functional Customary Court of Appeal has left a significant gap in the state’s judicial system, particularly in the handling of appeals and supervisory matters arising from customary law proceedings in the numerous District and Customary Courts across Akwa Ibom.
The lawmaker explained that Sections 280 to 284 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, provide for the establishment and operation of Customary Courts of Appeal in states, while Section 282 confers on the Court appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over civil proceedings involving questions of customary law.
He recalled that facilities had been provided for the Court in Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Etinan and the Northern Ibesikpo axis, among other locations, noting that the continued non-utilisation of the infrastructure amounted to leaving public investments without the intended benefits.
The lawmaker also pointed to the appointment of Dr. Imaobong Okokon Essien as Chief Registrar of the Court in February 2025 by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ekaete F. Obot, as evidence of administrative progress towards its establishment.
He however, maintained that the absence of a substantive President remained a major obstacle to the Court’s full take-off, stressing that the appointment of a Chief Registrar alone could not guarantee the delivery of the judicial responsibilities for which the institution was created.
The motion, seconded by the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, called on Governor Umo Eno to initiate the necessary constitutional process for the appointment of a substantive President, subject to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council for confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
In its resolutions, the House urged the State Judiciary to take immediate steps towards the full implementation of the 2012 law establishing the Court, including the commencement of regular sittings and the exercise of its appellate and supervisory jurisdiction.
To ensure compliance, the House mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Justice and Human Rights Petition to engage relevant authorities for the operations of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state.
The committee was given a time frame of 30 days to report back to the House on progress made towards the appointment of the President, commencement of judicial operations and implementation of the enabling law.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, however directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikakabasi Orok, to communicate the House’s resolutions to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
In another development, the House held a valedictory in honour of a former Minority leader, late Asuquo Eyo Utin, who represented the defunct Offi/Eweme State Constituency from January 1992 to November 1992 during the First Assembly.
By Grace Udoma, Uyo.
