The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has called for the introduction of the death penalty for counterfeiters, arguing that severe punishment is necessary to stop the production of fake products.
Onanuga made the call on Wednesday while reacting to the discovery of a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks factory valued at over N500 million in Aba, Abia State, by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In a post on X, the presidential spokesman condemned the activities of counterfeiters, describing them as people without conscience.
“These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities,” he stated.
His comments followed NAFDAC’s discovery of a suspected illegal alcohol production facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba, following credible intelligence.
According to the agency, the facility was operating under unhygienic conditions, while the suspected operator reportedly fled upon the arrival of enforcement officials.
NAFDAC disclosed that the suspect abandoned a vehicle containing packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, alongside empty bottles and a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid.
A search of the premises also led to the discovery of bottle caps, sealing machines, cartons, tanks containing different liquid mixtures, and dirty sieves allegedly used in the production of the drinks.
The agency further reported that its operatives recovered plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol, including substances with tree bark immersed in the chemical.
NAFDAC warned that the materials discovered at the facility raised serious concerns about the safety and quality of the suspected counterfeit alcoholic products.
It estimated the value of the equipment, materials and other items recovered from the facility at more than N500 million.
The agency urged members of the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities through its toll-free telephone lines: 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322.
Onanuga’s call for capital punishment comes amid growing concerns about the public health risks associated with counterfeit alcoholic beverages, which may contain unsafe substances capable of causing serious health complications.
However, his statement represents a call for tougher penalties against counterfeiters and does not constitute an announcement of a new Federal Government policy or a change to existing Nigerian law.
