Onoh Canvasses Death Sentence for Counterfeit Products, Hard Drug Trafficking

The Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has called for tougher laws prescribing death sentence, non-bailable offences and total asset forfeiture for perpetrators of counterfeit products, illicit hard drug trafficking and related crimes in Nigeria.

Onoh made the call in a legislative memorandum and proposed draft bill forwarded on Wednesday, to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation and heads of relevant security and regulatory agencies.

He described industrial-scale counterfeiting of consumer goods and life-saving medicines, alongside transnational drug trafficking, as threats to national health security and the country’s security architecture.

The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen deterrence through stricter penalties, total asset forfeiture and specialised divisions of the Federal High Court to conclude trials within 90 days, subject to extension.

According to Onoh, the bill also provides safeguards for licensed pharmacists and innocent retailers who demonstrate compliance with regulations, maintain proper supply-chain invoices and promptly report suspected counterfeit products.

It further proposes minimum administrative fines of ₦100 million and triple punitive civil damages against fraudulent manufacturers and distributors, alongside whistleblower protection and penalties for retaliation against those who expose wrongdoing.

Onoh urged federal and state lawmakers to prioritise the proposed legislation, while calling on the Nigerian Bar Association and relevant enforcement agencies, including NAFDAC, NDLEA, the police, EFCC and DSS, to review the framework and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.

He said the proposed measures were designed to ensure severe consequences for the masterminds of counterfeiting and drug trafficking while protecting legitimate businesses from wrongful prosecution and extortion.