By Alexis Uchendu
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has renewed its call for the death penalty for fake drug peddlers, warning that lenient punishments encourage the deadly trade.
NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described counterfeit drug dealers as “merchants of death” and insisted that only the harshest penalties would deter them.
She lamented that offenders importing dangerous substances, such as high-dose Tramadol, often receive minimal sentences or fines as low as ₦250,000, which fail to serve as a deterrent.
“A mere five-year sentence or a small fine is not enough for those whose actions kill innocent people, including children,” Adeyeye stated.
She acknowledged the agency’s struggle with inadequate staffing and funding, noting that NAFDAC has only about 2,000 employees nationwide, with each officer overseeing approximately 119,000 Nigerians.
The House of Representatives has also weighed in, urging the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to amend existing laws to impose stricter sanctions, including the death penalty, for the production and distribution of fake drugs.
Lawmakers stressed the need for increased funding and modern equipment to empower regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, SON, and the Nigerian Customs Service in combating the menace.
With public health at stake, the push for stricter measures signals a critical moment in Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit medicines.
