By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted the general public on the activities of a faith-based organisation, Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries, that uses the agency’s name to deceive the unsuspecting public.
Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement, said the agency had recently been inundated with petitions from concerned citizens about Senior Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State, on a ‘miracle water’ and ‘miracle soap’ being advertised with healing and miracle claims and sold to unsuspecting members of the public by the ministry.
According to the statement, Prophet Fufeyin claimed that women who use such items would bear twins.
He openly told his congregation that the soap is NAFDAC registered.
The petitioners also submitted the products from the spiritual ministry to NAFDAC to verify the claims.
The products are miracle and healing water, River Jordan water, miracle water from the Pool of Bethsaida, a new beginning Mount Camel miracle water, water of life, miracle water from the Pool of Bethsaida (1L), A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water and Father Smelled Perfume.
Adeyeye said upon receipt of the petitions, NAFDAC, through its director of Post Marketing Surveillance, PMS, contacted the Delta State coordinator to ascertain the existence or records of any transaction with Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries and the products.
The coordinator was also directed to visit the ministry to establish the veracity of the claims in the petitions and take the necessary regulatory action on the production facility in the ministry where the miracle water and other products are produced.
The state coordinator, according to the statement, covertly bought the Miracle Water (25cl) for N3000 from the ministry and took pictures.
“On Wednesday, August 14, the state coordinator, Delta State, visited Mercy Land Ministry and met the Head of Service, HoS, Mr Ogunleye Fufeyin, and the chief security officer.
“The officials denied producing miracle and healing water or soap even with the evidence of the receipt of purchase. He claimed that only the logo and address on the label were theirs, but not the product.
“The HoS added that they only have a Pool of Bethsaida water which is spiritual and artificial. He requested time to meet with other staff and returned. He returned after 30 minutes and refused to cooperate, asking them to see the CSO,” the statement said.
It would be recalled that on August 27,a team of investigation and enforcement from NAFDAC and the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods visited the ministry to commence investigation on the place of purchase or the manufacturing site for possible sample collection for laboratory analysis, but the officials did not cooperate with the team.
“Letters of invitation was issued to the officials to report on August 28, but it was not honoured. The company instead submitted a legal document at NAFDAC Headquarters, Abuja on August 28 and asked to come back on September 3 to organise their document. The agency then gave the Prophet time to report at the Investigation and Enforcement Office, NAFDAC, Asaba for further necessary investigation.
“Investigation and Enforcement Asaba waited for Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries officials based on their earlier request to report for commencement of investigation, but they refused to show up. On September 3, they forwarded some documents instead asking for more time.
“In a document made available to NAFDAC on September 3, the faith organisation claimed to have entered into a production contract agreement with Globod Table Water Km 4, DSC Expressway, Otokutu, Delta State without the knowledge of NAFDAC State Office in Delta. This act is illegal according to the extant rules and regulations on commercial production.
“In continuation of our investigation, NAFDAC has sealed Globod Table Water factory for aiding and abetting the production, sale and advertisement of unregistered and unwholesome Miracle Water under the pretext of fake NAFDAC registration number.
“At this point, it is clear that Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, KM 5, is not ready to present itself for investigation of the production and advertisement of suspected falsified, unwholesome and unregistered miracle products.
“The agency wishes to inform the public that none of these products being advertised and sold are registered with it. The public is also being advised to stop patronising any of these miracle products. NAFDAC is a scientific organisation that is guided by verifiable facts before registering any product.
“In the meantime, we will continue with our investigation into the activities of this faith organisation with regards to products within our mandates that have been reported to be manufactured and sold by them. I want to use this opportunity to warn other faith organisations against illegal production of regulated products without requisite regulatory requirements,” the NAFDAC boss disclosed.
She assured Nigerians of NAFDAC’s resolve to continue safeguarding the health of citizens.
