In a bold move to curb the deadly menace of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has called for the death penalty for individuals involved in the production and distribution of fake and adulterated medicines.
The lawmakers urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to propose amendments to existing laws, ensuring stiffer penalties for offenders. The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara), who argued that current punishments were far too lenient to deter criminals profiting from the illicit trade.
Recognizing the critical role of regulatory bodies, the House called for enhanced support for agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Customs Service. Lawmakers demanded increased funding, modern surveillance technology, and advanced enforcement tools to aid in the detection and crackdown on counterfeit drug networks.
Additionally, the House proposed the creation of a Special Task Force—a collaboration between security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary—to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of counterfeit drug syndicates. The lawmakers also directed their Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive probe into the prevalence of counterfeit products and recommend urgent legislative reforms.
Leading the debate, Shagaya raised alarm over the rising influx of fake and substandard drugs, food, and beverages in Nigeria, warning that the crisis poses a grave threat to public health, national security, and economic stability.
He cited reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and NAFDAC, which rank Nigeria among the most affected countries by counterfeit medicines. According to him, this epidemic is responsible for thousands of avoidable deaths annually, as desperate consumers unknowingly consume dangerous substances.
In a shocking revelation, Shagaya disclosed that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit pharmaceutical and food products worth over ₦5 billion in a raid at the notorious Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, highlighting the alarming spread of the illicit trade.
Beyond its devastating health consequences, the lawmaker noted that Nigeria suffers a staggering economic loss of approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by SON.
Shagaya warned that the unchecked proliferation of fake products not only endangers lives but also discourages legitimate investments in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and food industries. He blamed weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and lenient legal penalties for emboldening criminals who continuously exploit regulatory loopholes to evade justice.
With the crisis worsening, Shagaya called for a national state of emergency to intensify enforcement efforts, strengthen regulatory institutions, and impose harsher sanctions on perpetrators.
“The current legal framework is not stringent enough,” he lamented. “Offenders often receive bailable sentences and return to the illicit trade, operating with impunity. It’s time to send a clear message—those who play with people’s lives must face the full wrath of the law.”
As Nigeria battles the scourge of counterfeit drugs, the House of Representatives’ latest move signals a decisive push for stricter regulations, increased accountability, and a commitment to safeguarding public health. Whether the proposal for the death penalty gains legislative approval remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—lawmakers are no longer willing to turn a blind eye to this silent epidemic.
PIONEER NEWS 