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Reps Propose Life Imprisonment For Fake Drug Peddlers
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The Nigerian House of Representatives has proposed a life sentence for individuals involved in the production and importation of counterfeit drugs, aiming to curb the growing threat of fake pharmaceuticals in the country.
This resolution was passed during Thursday’s plenary session, following a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Muktar Shagaya, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kwara State.
In response to the increasing circulation of substandard and fake drugs, lawmakers have called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to propose amendments to existing legislation. The aim is to introduce more stringent penalties and close loopholes that allow offenders to evade justice.
While presenting the motion, Shagaya underscored the severity of the issue, emphasizing that counterfeit drugs pose a significant risk to public health, national security, and economic stability.
“Nigeria suffers an estimated economic loss of N15 trillion annually due to the prevalence of counterfeit and substandard goods, according to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON),” Shagaya stated. He warned that the unchecked influx of fake pharmaceuticals endangers consumer safety, discourages investment in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, and undermines trust in regulatory institutions.
Shagaya further highlighted the shortcomings of current regulations, arguing that weak enforcement, corruption, and inadequate penalties have emboldened counterfeit drug dealers. Many offenders, he noted, exploit lenient fines and easily bailable sentences to continue their illicit activities without fear of serious repercussions.
To address this, he proposed that the federal government declare a national state of emergency on counterfeit drugs. This would involve intensifying enforcement measures, bolstering regulatory agencies, and implementing stricter legal consequences to deter offenders.
Following a voice vote presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the motion was unanimously adopted without debate.
As part of the resolution, the House urged the federal government to enhance the operational capacity of key regulatory agencies, particularly the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Nigeria Customs Service. Lawmakers recommended increased funding, modern equipment, and the integration of advanced surveillance technologies to improve detection, monitoring, and enforcement efforts.
The move reflects a growing urgency within the government to combat the proliferation of fake drugs, protect public health, and restore confidence in the pharmaceutical industry. If the proposed amendments are enacted, Nigeria will take a significant step toward eliminating the dangerous trade of counterfeit medications and safeguarding its citizens.
President of the ANAP Foundation and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, has said that Nigerians are monitoring Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, as he oversees the Osun State governorship election.
Peterside made this revelation on Saturday while appearing on an Arise TV programme focused on the Osun governorship election, stressing that the conduct of the poll would be closely watched by Nigerians.
He said the outcome of the election would provide an important indication of INEC’s level of preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the Osun election would serve as a “link pin” to the 2027 elections, but Nigerians should not assume that a successful poll in Osun would automatically guarantee a successful general election in 2027.
“Osun will serve as a link pin to the 2027 election, and Nigerians should not go with the notion that because Osun was successful, then automatically the 2027 general election will be successful,” he said.
Peterside also warned against deliberate delays in the electoral process, particularly in areas considered to be strongholds of a particular candidate.
He said any deliberate attempt to delay voting or the transmission of results in such areas could raise serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
“In a situation where an election is deliberately delayed because it is a weak area for a particular candidate, clearly, it is a form of rigging,” he said.
He added that claims of technical glitches or other problems during the process should be carefully scrutinised, noting that such incidents could undermine public confidence in the election.
Peterside further expressed the expectation that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, election results should be uploaded promptly after voting and collation.
“All things being equal, by 5pm or 6pm, we expect that all the results must have been uploaded, as we experienced in 2023,” he said.
The Oyo State Police Command has nabbed 10 suspected members of a human parts trafficking syndicate and recovered suspected human remains, including a heart and pieces of a skull, during an intelligence-led operation in the state.
The suspects were arrested at their various hideouts in Iseyin and Saki areas of Oyo State following months of intelligence gathering, discreet surveillance and monitoring by operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit.
The suspects were identified as Adam Ibrahim, 42; Nasiru Kabiru, 22; Tijani Wasiu, 54; Abiola Nasiru, 45; Amusa Gbadamosi, 57; Raheem Taofeek, 46; Jimoh Muritala, 35; Suleiman Busari, 47; Ganiyu Nurudeen, 36; and Usman Abdullahi, 52.
According to the police, searches conducted at the suspects’ hideouts led to the recovery of several suspected human parts, including one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms.
The Command said the recovered items had been secured as exhibits and would undergo forensic examination as investigations continue.
The suspects reportedly confessed during interrogation to varying degrees of involvement in the alleged trade in human parts for ritual purposes. The police said they were also assisting investigators in tracing the source of the recovered items, as well as establishing how they were procured and their intended use.
The Command added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the operatives for the successful intelligence-led operation and their painstaking efforts in tracking down the suspects.poli
He assured residents that the Command would continue to intensify its efforts to combat criminal activities and protect lives and property across the state.
Ahead of today’s guber poll, the Police has deployed some of its security dogs to Osun state to ensure seurity is not breeched during and after the election.
The police dogs have been prepared to assist security personnel in detecting and confronting potential threats from violent criminals.
Osun Decides: We’re monitoring INEC boss from all sides— Peterside
Police Bust Human Parts Syndicate in Oyo, Nab 10, Recover Heart, Skull
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