Adesunnbo Akeju, Unlawful Sale of Unregistered Pesticide, New York 2023

New York, NY – ECOWAS African Food Market, Inc., a grocery store catering to the African diaspora, has been penalized for illegally selling an unregistered pesticide, Sniper DDVP, within New York State. The case, brought to light through court records, highlights a concerning disregard for public health and environmental regulations.

According to court documents, ECOWAS African Food Market and its representative, Adesunnbo Akeju, intentionally offered for sale a pesticide not approved for use in New York. The sale of unregistered pesticides is a serious offense, as these products haven’t undergone the rigorous testing required to ensure their safety and efficacy, potentially posing risks to consumers, agricultural workers, and the environment. Investigators suspect the pesticide was being marketed towards a specific community seeking pest control solutions familiar from their countries of origin.

The violations came to the attention of authorities in early 2023, leading to an investigation and subsequent plea agreements. On January 13, 2023, ECOWAS African Food Market pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of New York State Environmental Conservation Law section 33-1301 (1)(a), which prohibits the unlawful sale of unregistered pesticides. As a result, the company was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $75 surcharge, totaling $1,075.

Adesunnbo Akeju, representing the market, also faced legal repercussions. Akeju pleaded guilty to one count of New York State Penal Law section 240.20, disorderly conduct. While the specific connection between the pesticide sale and the disorderly conduct charge remains unclear from available records, the plea indicates an acknowledgment of wrongdoing related to the overall incident. The relatively minor charge assigned to Akeju has raised questions among legal observers regarding the adequacy of the penalties in relation to the potential public health risks associated with the illegal pesticide sales.

The Environmental Conservation Law violation carries potential penalties beyond the fines imposed. Unregistered pesticides can contain harmful ingredients or be improperly labeled, leading to accidental poisonings, environmental contamination, and damage to crops. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) routinely investigates and prosecutes such cases to protect the state’s resources and its citizens.

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Key Facts

Defendant: ECOWAS African Food Market, Inc. and Adesunnbo Akeju
Crime: Illegal sale of unregistered pesticide (Sniper DDVP)
Location: New York State
Year: 2023
Statutes Violated: New York State Environmental Conservation Law section 33-1301 (1)(a); New York State Penal Law section 240.20 (Disorderly Conduct)
Penalties: $1,000 fine + $75 surcharge for ECOWAS African Food Market; Guilty plea to disorderly conduct for Adesunnbo Akeju.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and investigate further into the distribution networks of unregistered pesticides within the state, and whether similar violations are occurring elsewhere.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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