NAFDAC Advocates Death Penalty for Fake Drug Peddlers

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NAFDAC Advocates Death Penalty for Fake Drug Peddlers

    The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has reiterated the need for stricter penalties for those involved in the sale of counterfeit drugs. She strongly advocated for the death penalty for offenders whose actions result in the deaths of innocent people, especially children.

Adeyeye emphasized that the alarming rise in the circulation of fake drugs poses a serious threat to public health. Speaking at a recent event, she described drug counterfeiters as "merchants of death" who value profits over human lives. She asserted that only severe consequences would effectively deter this dangerous trade.

She highlighted cases where individuals importing harmful drugs, such as highly potent doses of Tramadol, receive minor punishments.

"A person brings in a dangerous drug capable of killing people and gets only a five-year prison sentence or a fine of N250,000," she lamented. "Who wouldn’t pay such a fine and return to the same crime? This is why stricter measures are necessary."

    The NAFDAC boss revealed that some lawmakers have pledged their support to push for harsher penalties. However, she acknowledged that the agency faces challenges, including inadequate staffing and limited resources.

“With just about 2,000 staff nationwide, each of our personnel is effectively responsible for 119,000 Nigerians. We are understaffed and underfunded, which hampers our ability to crack down on offenders," she explained.

    The House of Representatives recently adopted a motion sponsored by Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara), urging the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to propose amendments to existing laws on the production and circulation of fake drugs.

The House emphasized that current penalties are too lenient and proposed strict sanctions, including the death penalty for those manufacturing or distributing fake and adulterated drugs.

Lawmakers also urged the government to bolster the capacity of regulatory agencies, including NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigerian Customs Service (NIS), by providing adequate funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology for effective surveillance, detection, and enforcement.