The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has proposed the death penalty for individuals involved in the trafficking of counterfeit drugs.
Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of the agency, speaking during an interview on Channels Television Friday, argued that only severe punishments could deter fake drug traffickers, particularly when their actions result in the deaths of children.
“You don’t need to put a gun to a child’s head to kill them. Just give them bad medicine,” Adeyeye remarked.
The NAFDAC boss further called on the judiciary and the National Assembly to collaborate on implementing the proposal, expressing the agency’s readiness to work with lawmakers and other stakeholders.
“There are no stringent measures in place to stop offenders from repeating the same crime. We can only do so much, but if our laws are not robust or the judiciary fails to take a firm stance, this menace will persist.
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“Our judicial system must be strong enough. We are working with the National Assembly to make our penalties much harsher. If you kill a child with counterfeit medicine, you deserve to die,” she stated.
Last Thursday, the House of Representatives advocated for stricter sanctions, including life imprisonment, to combat the problem.
The House highlighted that the current legal framework is insufficient to deter offenders, who often return to the illicit trade due to lenient fines and bailable sentences. Such loopholes enable them to continue operating with impunity.
The lawmakers subsequently urged Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation, to propose amendments to existing laws. These amendments would include imposing life imprisonment for those involved in the manufacture and importation of counterfeit drugs, alongside hefty fines for businesses found guilty of dealing in fake goods.
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