Reps push for life sentence for fake drug offenders

The House of Representatives on Thursday raised concerns over what it termed as an alarming increase in the production, importation and distribution of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food and beverages across Nigeria, and is seeking stricter sanctions including life imprisonment to curb the menace.

The Lower Chamber stated that the current legal framework does not provide sufficient deterrence, as offenders often return to the illicit trade due to lenient fines and bailable sentences, allowing them to operate with impunity.

The House has therefore asked Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation to propose amendments to existing laws with a view to imposing stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for those involved in the production and importation of fake drugs and significant fines for businesses found guilty of dealing in counterfeit goods.

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The House also mandated its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of counterfeit products and propose legislative measures to address regulatory gaps; and directed its Committee on Legislative compliance,  Customs and Exercise,  Health and the House Committee on Commerce to ensure Compliance.

This resolutions were sequel to a motion of urgent importance on the need to declare a state of emergency on the proliferation of counterfeit products sponsored by Muktar Shagaya, representing Ilorin west Federal constituency.

Leading the debate on the motion, Shagaya said noted that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ₦5 billion in a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, highlighting the widespread nature of the menace.

He exoressed concern that Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately ₦15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), adding that unchecked proliferation of fake products not only jeopardizes consumer safety but also discourages genuine investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

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“Despite existing regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and the absence of stringent penalties for offenders have emboldened perpetrators to continue endangering public health”, he said.

Consequently, the House asked the federal government to strengthen the capacity of regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Customs Service by providing adequate funding, modern equipment’s and advanced technology for effective surveillance, detection and enforcement.

The Lower Chamber also  aksed government to establish a special task force comprising Security Agencies, Regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecution of individuals and businesses involved in counterfeiting.