Lagos — The long-drawn legal battle between the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and manufacturers of My Pikin Teething Mixture, Barewa Pharmaceutical Limited, may have suffered a significant setback following the death of the company's Managing Director, Mr. Kola Gbadegbesin Okunlola.

It was gathered that Okunlola, a pharmacist, died last week at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, where he was admitted after suffering a haemorrhagic stroke.

But, in a reaction to Okunlola's death, NAFDAC's Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh said the Agency was yet to be officially informed about the incident.

"We have no official comment for now. The Agency has not been officially informed, and since the matter is still before the court, we cannot make a pronouncement. The court will be informed when it resumes sitting," Jimoh responded in a telephone conversation.

Efforts to get a confirmation from St. Nicholas Hospital failed.

Before his death, Okunlola, aged 58, was standing trial over the My Pikin incident, alongside his company and two other staff on a six-count charge of manufacturing and distributing adulterated drugs.

A native of Ikirun, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria, the late pharmacist attended Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun, University of Bradford in the U.K. He qualified as a pharmacist decades ago.