The Senate has passed for second reading a bill proposing a 15-year jail term and asset forfeiture for those involved in producing or selling counterfeit medicines and unsafe food products.
Senate Backs 15-Year Jail Term Bill
Nigeria’s fake drug peddlers could soon face serious consequences. The Senate passed for second reading a bill proposing up to 15 years in jail for counterfeit drug offenders, according to Punch.
Sponsored by Senator Umar Suleiman, the Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Bill targets production, sale and hawking of fake medicines, while empowering NAFDAC with stronger enforcement tools, including asset forfeiture and accelerated trials.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the penalties, while senators Adams Oshiomhole and Samson Ekong backed the bill, calling fake drugs “instruments of death.” Some lawmakers raised concerns over potential overlap with the NAFDAC Act. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health for further review.
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