Nigerian Senate Proposes 15-Year Jail for Drug Hawking

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill during its second reading aimed at criminalizing drug hawking, proposing a 15-year jail term for offenders. The bill, sponsored by Senator Umar Sadiq Suleiman from Kwara North, seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to combat counterfeit drugs and unwholesome food processes.

It specifically criminalizes the import, manufacture, transport, distribution, sale, and possession of counterfeit medical products and fake drugs. The legislation also aims to outlaw the unauthorized sale of drugs in locations such as markets, motor parks, and online platforms.

Senator Suleiman emphasized that the bill intends to repeal the outdated Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods Act of 2004, replacing it with modern regulations to address emerging threats. The bill received strong support from other senators, including Samson Ekong and Barau Jibrin, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health for further consideration, with a report expected within four weeks.