Former PDP Official Calls for Tougher Punishments for Fake Drug Makers

A former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, is asking the National Assembly to change the laws on fake products. He wants harsher punishments for anyone making or selling fake drugs and other adulterated goods in Nigeria.

Mr Metuh, who is now with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and works as the Director of Mobilisation and Organisation of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), suggested longer prison sentences and seizure of assets for those found guilty of these crimes.

He made this statement on Friday after Innocent Okoye was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abia State for making and selling fake Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Mr Okoye received a five-year prison sentence, with an option to pay a N5 million fine.

Mr Metuh, who is also a lawyer, said this punishment is too light for a crime that could harm the health of many Nigerians. He warned that without tougher penalties, counterfeiting would continue.

"A five-year jail term or N5 million fine is just a small slap on the wrist. Such punishment could make counterfeiting a cheap business for greedy manufacturers and sellers.

"The law must have consequences that fit the crime. Just because there is no direct violence does not mean that selling fake products is not as dangerous as other violent crimes," he stated.

He called on the National Assembly to quickly look over the current laws on drug counterfeiting, fake pharmaceuticals, and fake consumer goods. He believes the penalties should match the serious health risks these crimes pose.

Counterfeit and substandard products are still a big health issue in Nigeria, even with many raids, seizures, and arrests by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The issue is not just about medicines but also includes fake food, drinks, cosmetics, medical devices, and other regulated products. These items might have harmful ingredients or incorrect amounts of active ingredients that have not passed safety checks.

NAFDAC has pointed out that using fake and low-quality medicines can lead to treatment failure, longer hospital stays, more hospital admissions, and in serious cases, death.

The ongoing problem is shown by the repeated discovery of illegal factories and distribution points. This includes major markets in Onitsha, Aba, and Lagos.

A BusinessDay investigation from August revealed that NAFDAC's records showed over N1.1 trillion worth of products were seized or destroyed between 2023 and 2025. Yet, the agency keeps finding counterfeit and low-quality products in places they have already raided.

From January to August, NAFDAC's Directorate of Investigation and Enforcement arrested 52 people, raided 213 places, seized 821 products, and sealed 179 locations.

Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, recently said the agency has won 64 convictions for counterfeiting, with sentences from one to seven years in prison without a fine option.

There are currently two related bills in the Senate sponsored by Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North).

These are the Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Prohibition and Control) Bill, 2026, and the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration, etc.) (Repeal) Bill, 2026.

The amendment to the counterfeit medical products bill wants to replace the old Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004, with a new system to tackle fake medical products, fake drugs, and unsafe foods.

It proposes a 15-year jail term for offenders, along with asset seizure and compensation for victims. It also aims to give NAFDAC more power to enforce these laws.

The proposed Food, Drugs and Related Products Bill aims to directly criminalise counterfeiting and set punishments. It also updates the rules for food, drugs, and other products that NAFDAC oversees.