Counterfeiters Will Continue Unless Death Penalty Is Imposed — Onanuga

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has argued that counterfeiting may persist unless the government introduces tougher punishments, including the death penalty for offenders.

Onanuga made the remarks during a discussion on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit products, particularly fake medicines and other goods capable of endangering public health.

He suggested that existing penalties had failed to sufficiently discourage people involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit products, calling for stronger measures to address the problem.

According to him, the continued circulation of fake products poses serious risks to consumers and undermines confidence in legitimate businesses.

The presidential aide’s comments have drawn attention to the debate over whether harsher criminal sanctions would effectively deter counterfeiting and protect Nigerians from dangerous products.

Counterfeiting remains a concern for regulatory authorities in Nigeria, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where substandard and falsified medicines can expose patients to ineffective treatment and serious health complications.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is responsible for regulating medicines, food and other regulated products, as well as combating the production and distribution of falsified and substandard items.

The agency has repeatedly warned Nigerians against purchasing medicines from unauthorised sources and urged consumers to report suspicious products to the appropriate authorities.

Counterfeit products also affect manufacturers and traders by creating unfair competition, damaging brand reputations and causing financial losses.

However, proposals to introduce the death penalty for counterfeiting raise questions about proportionality, the effectiveness of criminal deterrence and the distinction between different categories of offences.

Legal experts and human rights advocates have often argued that criminal penalties should reflect the severity of an offence, while enforcement agencies must strengthen investigations, prosecutions and border controls to dismantle counterfeiting networks.

Nigeria’s existing laws prescribe different penalties for offences involving counterfeit products, depending on the nature of the violation and the applicable legislation.

Onanuga’s position adds to ongoing discussions about how the country can improve enforcement and protect consumers from dangerous and fraudulent goods.

The debate is expected to continue as authorities face pressure to curb counterfeit products, safeguard public health and ensure that offenders are held accountable under the law.