They Will Never Stop — Bayo Onanuga Calls For D3ath Penalty Over Fake Products

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has called for the introduction of the death penalty for counterfeiters following the discovery of a suspected fake alcohol production facility in Aba, Abia State, by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to Bush Radio Academy, Onanuga made the call on Wednesday in a post on X while reacting to NAFDAC’s announcement about the operation. He argued that tougher penalties were necessary to deter individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods.

“These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities,” he wrote.

NAFDAC disclosed that its officials raided the suspected facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba, following intelligence reports about its activities. The agency said the suspected operator fled when officials arrived at the premises.

According to the agency, the facility was allegedly operating under unhygienic conditions, raising concerns about the safety and quality of the alcoholic beverages suspected to have been produced there.

Items reportedly recovered during the operation included packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, empty bottles, bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons, plastic buckets, tanks containing liquid mixtures and 200-litre drums of ethanol.

NAFDAC also reported finding a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid, dirty sieves and tree bark soaked in ethanol. The agency said these discoveries raised questions about the materials and processes allegedly used in producing the drinks.

The regulatory body estimated the value of the facility’s equipment, materials and components at more than ₦500 million. It warned that the discovery highlighted the potential risks posed by illegal manufacturing operations to public health and consumer safety.

The operation is part of NAFDAC’s wider campaign against counterfeit and unsafe products across the country. The agency has recently reported other enforcement actions involving the seizure and destruction of suspected counterfeit and unwholesome goods worth billions of naira.

In a separate operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, the agency reportedly seized products valued at more than ₦2 billion and arrested two suspects.

The House of Representatives has also called for stronger measures to tackle fake and substandard food products following enforcement operations against suspected alcohol-counterfeiting networks and an illegal juice factory in Badagry, Lagos State.

However, existing Nigerian law does not prescribe the death penalty for producing or selling counterfeit drugs or unwholesome processed foods. Under the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, offenders face a fine of up to ₦500,000, imprisonment for five to 15 years, or both.

Onanuga’s proposal therefore represents a call for tougher punishment rather than a penalty currently provided for under the cited law.

NAFDAC has urged members of the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities through its call centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or by email at reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.