Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has proposed a death penalty for producers of counterfeit drugs and drinks in the country.

According to him, without such a measure, culprits will not stop engaging in the nefarious activity.

He shared on X, "These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities."

Onanuga's post comes days after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks production facility at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba, Abia State.

Acting on credible intelligence, officials discovered the facility operating in unhygienic conditions. The suspected operator reportedly fled upon the team’s arrival, leaving behind a vehicle in which officials found counterfeit packaging materials bearing the names of Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, empty bottles, and a drum containing approximately 200 litres of liquid.

Inside the facility, officials found counterfeit packaging materials, bottle caps, sealing machines, empty bottles, cartons, tanks containing various liquid concoctions and dirty sieves reportedly used in the production process. Plastic buckets and 200-litre drums containing ethanol and tree bark immersed in ethanol were also discovered, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the products being produced.

The estimated value of the equipment, materials and facility components is over ₦500 million.

These counterfeiters certainly have no conscience. Until we start imposing a death penalty on them, they will never stop their nefarious activities.

— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) October 21, 2026