NIGERIA: FG SEEKS DEATH PENALTY FOR FAKE DRUG OFFENDERS

September 24, 2009: the nigerian Federal Government recommended death penalty for fake drugdealers.
It said the draft bill for review of the laws guiding the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), would be presented to the National Assembly for consideration within two weeks.
Speaking at a one-day workshop organised in Abuja by NAFDAC, Minister of State for Health, Dr Idi Hong, said government was alarmed at the damage done to the population as a result of activities of fake and sub-standard drug peddlers.
He said government was partnering the National Assembly to ensure that maximum penalty was meted out to offenders.
"We at the Ministry of Health are asking for maximum penalty for those involved in the sale, manufacture and importation of fake andsub-standard drugs.
We are asking National Assembly to support us in this advocacy for maximum penalty for such offenders.
"If you know that you will loose your life or spend the rest of it in jail and that you will not live to spend the money you made from such trade, you will not be involved in it," he said.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Michael Andoaaka, SAN, said perpetrators of such acts would not escape justice, as government was determined to end the debacle. (Sources: AllAfrica.com, 25/09/2009)