“COUNTERFEITERS WILL CONTINUE UNLESS DEATH PENALTY IS IMPOSED” — ONANUGA

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has said counterfeiters will not stop their activities until the death penalty is imposed, reacting to a recent raid by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Aba, Abia State.

The call reflects growing frustration over the persistence of fake and substandard products in Nigerian markets.

THE CALL

Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made the remark following NAFDAC’s discovery of large quantities of counterfeit products in Aba.

He argued that the current penalties were insufficient to deter the criminals who profit from endangering public health.

THE NAFDAC RAID

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NAFDAC has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit beverages, drugs and food products across Nigeria in recent months.

The Aba raid is part of a broader enforcement effort targeting the production and distribution of fake goods.

WHY IT MATTERS

Counterfeit drugs and food products are a public health crisis in Nigeria.Fake medications can kill. Adulterated food can cause illness. Substandard beverages can poison consumers.

The debate over the death penalty for counterfeiters is contentious. Some argue that it is the only punishment proportionate to the crime. Others question whether the death penalty is effective as a deterrent and whether Nigeria’s justice system can apply it fairly.

What is not in dispute is that the current penalties are not working.

ValidViewNetwork reports that NAFDAC’s crackdown continues. The call for harsher penalties is likely to intensify.