National Association of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria call out Pharmacy Council of Nigeria over harassment, intimidation

The National Association of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria members have written petitions to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State and the Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Cross River State command about the recent harassment and intimidation by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria which is on a spree of sealing shops of their members in the state.

The body through their legal and human rights activist, Abo Esor Ekpe Esq., of the Abo Esor Ekpe & Co legal firm said there is a clear distinction between the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Association of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria (NAPTTON) which explains the pending cases currently in multiple courts – High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The petition that was cited by newsmen on Wednesday September 4th 2024 in Calabar, stated that “it is the position of the law that parties should as a result of this maintain status quo until the court pronouncement is made in respect of the regulation of pharmacy practice in Nigeria.

He argued that the National Association of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria (NAPTTON) is legally registered backed with its enabling and regulatory Act.”

“Wherefore, compelling them against their choice of association will amount to infringement of their constitutional and fundamental rights, including but not limited to, their Rights to freedom of Association as enshrined in chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

“We solicit your assistance and cooperation in our service to the downtrodden, defenseless and voiceless in our society,” Abo Esor Ekpe said.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)