Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has called for the death penalty for counterfeiters, arguing that tougher punishment is necessary to stop the production and distribution of fake products in Nigeria.
Onanuga made the statement on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while reacting to a report by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) about the discovery of a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks factory in Aba, Abia State.
“These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities,” he wrote in a post on X.
NAFDAC had disclosed that its officials raided a facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba, following intelligence about its operations. According to the agency, the suspected factory was operating under unhygienic conditions, while the operator reportedly fled upon the arrival of officials.
During the operation, officials recovered packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, empty bottles, bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons, tanks containing liquid mixtures and drums of ethanol. The agency also reported finding tree bark soaked in ethanol.
NAFDAC estimated the value of the equipment, materials and facility components at more than ₦500 million, warning that the discovery raised serious concerns about the safety and quality of the suspected products.
The development comes amid intensified enforcement operations against counterfeit and unsafe goods across the country. NAFDAC recently reported seizing and destroying counterfeit and unwholesome products worth more than ₦5.3 billion within one week.
However, Nigeria’s existing law on counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed foods prescribes imprisonment of between five and 15 years, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both, for relevant offences. It does not currently prescribe the death penalty for such offences.
Onanuga’s call has renewed attention to the debate over whether Nigeria should introduce harsher punishments for those who manufacture and distribute counterfeit products that could endanger public health.
