Nigerian Lawmakers Push For Life Imprisonment For Fake Drug And Food Peddlers

The House of Representatives has called on Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to propose legislation mandating life imprisonment for individuals convicted of peddling fake drugs and food in Nigeria.

Additionally, lawmakers directed committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the rising prevalence of counterfeit goods and propose stricter regulatory measures.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Muktar Shagaya (APC, Kwara) during plenary on Thursday.

Shagaya cited the alarming increase in the production, importation, and distribution of fake and substandard goods—including drugs, food, and beverages—warning that they pose grave risks to public health, national security, and economic stability.

He noted that:
NAFDAC recently seized over ₦5 billion worth of counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products in a raid at Cemetery Market, Aba, Abia State.
Nigeria suffers ₦15 trillion in economic losses annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, according to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Shagaya urged the federal government to:
Boost funding and modern equipment for regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, SON, and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Establish a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of counterfeiters.

The motion was unanimously adopted without debate when put to a vote by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu.