niyazz-shutterstock-com-2
Niyazz / Shutterstock.com
7 June 2016Africa

Nigerian official calls for life imprisonment for drug counterfeiters

The president of Nigeria’s Senate has proposed that people convicted of selling counterfeit drugs and foods are jailed for life and fined up to ₦2 million ($10,500) dollars.

According to reports, including by the Daily Post, Bukola Saraki spoke at a public hearing for a bill that would amend the 1999 Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act.

The aim of the amendment is to strengthen punishment for those caught selling counterfeit products and to provide a disease free society.

Saraki said: “In 2008, thousands of Nigerian children started taking a teething medicine that contained toxic chemicals. By February 2009, over 90 Nigerian babies had died from consuming the mixture. This is despicable, and to say the least, unacceptable.’’

He added: “There is need to enact new legislation or amend the weak or already existing ones to see that the lives of the citizens of this nation are protected.”