NAFDAC Threatens To Arrest Professor For Saying Ewedu Can Cure Ebola

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reportedly threatened to arrest a professor who claimed that Mallow leaves, commonly called “Ewedu”, can cure the deadly Ebola disease. Professor Adebukola Ositelu of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) is said to have made the claim that the vegetable can provide relief against the disease by boosting the immune system.

However, NAFDAC has taken exception to his claims and even allegedly threatened to arrest and prosecute him. The Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii reportedly said yesterday, September 16, 2014, in Lagos:

“One consequence of these unsupported and possibly fraudulent claims is that people may be misled into a false sense of invincibility on account of eating Ewedu or bitter kola and drop their guards. This is a national embarrassment and the Agency will not take such uncorroborated claims by supposedly learned people lightly,” he stated.

“These professors should not be patronised by Nigerians. Anybody who claims to have a cure for Ebola should come to NAFDAC, the Ethics Committee or the Treatment Research Group set up by the Federal government than causing more panic in the country. ”NAFDAC will immediately arrest and prosecute any Nigerian making such unverified claims as that could mislead the public.” Orhii also added that the professor’s case would serve as a deterrent for other people who intend to make such unverified claims.