The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, hinted on Friday that the upper chamber would soon come up with a bill that would prescribe life imprisonment for individuals who engages in the production and sale of counterfeit and fake drugs, and foods upon conviction.
Saraki stated this at the public hearing on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome processed Foods Act.
He also said that the proposed law would ensure that the convicted individuals risked stiff fines of up to two million naira.
He added that upon conviction, assets acquired by the affected persons would be forfeited to the Federal Government.
He said the amendment of the Act is aimed at strengthening punitive measures against persons involved in such unwholesome practice.
Saraki said, "In 2008, thousands of Nigerian children started taking a teething medicine that contained toxic chemicals. By February 2009 over 90 Nigeria babies had died from consuming the mixture. This is despicable and to say the least unacceptable."
He said that the amendment of the bill would no doubt provide Nigerians the much needed food security, disease free society and required standards for soil sciences.
