Dr. Samuel Amo Tobbin, Chairman of Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited, recounted his company’s ordeal with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in 2013 during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on August 14, 2024.
Dr. Tobbin who has just secured a court ruling in his favour, shared the unfortunate experience that occurred under the leadership of former FDA Chief Executive Dr. Stephen Opuni.
Dr. Tobbin explained that the incident began when he and his partner were suddenly arrested near the FDA premises and detained at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) cells for almost an entire day. He described the events as unfortunate and recalled being released in the evening, only to be required to report to the BNI office daily for four days, where they were repeatedly locked up in cells and released at night.
“It was rather unfortunate that in 2013, that thing happened to us,” Dr. Tobbin said. “I knew Dr. Stephen Opuni when he assumed office as the CEO of the FDA. And this our industry, all the CEOs become our friends automatically.”
Dr. Tobbin revealed that Dr. Opuni had accused him and his partner of importing fake drugs into Ghana, specifically claiming they had brought in a fake Gesunate Plus, a suppository for children. The Group Chairman recalled how Dr. Opuni was furious and threatened to bring him down, leading to their arrest.
“We saw some people in a car and then they crossed our car in a Rambo style, they opened their car and opened ours too and brought us out,” Dr. Tobbin recounted. “They said you have to be quiet, anything you say will be used against you at the law court. Those threats.”
Dr. Tobbin disclosed that they were coerced into signing a letter acknowledging the importation of counterfeit products into the country under duress. He explained that they signed the letter seeking to secure their release, unaware that Dr. Opuni intended to use it as evidence against them.
“On the fourth day, they brought a letter for us to sign in order to be released,” Dr. Tobbin said. “They wrote that we admit to importing fake products. One was on my letterhead and another on my partner’s letterhead. Because we wanted our freedom, we thought that we would be released.”
The legal battle began on July 19, 2019, when Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited filed a lawsuit against the FDA, accusing the authority of abusing its statutory powers and duties. The High Court in Accra delivered a ruling on July 29, 2024, clearing TPL and its Group Chairman of allegations of importing fake drugs into Ghana.
The controversy dates back to between September and December 2013, when Dr. Kwabena Opuni, then CEO of the FDA, launched a series of actions against Tobinco Pharmaceuticals Limited. These actions led to significant financial losses for the company and its chairman.
