NAFDAC: Reps Propose 3-year-jail Term For Offenders

Individuals or promoters of companies who are found guilty of obstructing an officer of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) during the course of his duties will be liable to a jail term not less that one year or a maximum of three years .

This is part of amendments sponsored by Hon Bassey Dan-Abia (PDP, Cross River) and approved to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act by the House of Representatives on Wednesday when it scaled through second reading.

The amendment also proposed that a fine of N100, 000 should apply alongside the jail term, depending on the judgement.

"A person who obstructs an officer of the agency in the performance of his duties under section 24 or any provisions of this Act or any regulations made thereafter shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N100, 000 or to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year, but not exceeding three years or both," the alteration read.

"Where no penalty has been specified, the person shall be liable to a fine not exceeding N1, 000, 000 or imprisonment for a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment."

The punishment also applies to corporate organisation, proprietors, directors, general managers, secretary or other similar officers, servant or agent of the corporate body.

5 other amendments were also made to the act including section (2) to ‎make inspector general of Police and comptroller general of Customs members of the governing board of NAFDAC; Section ( to insert a proviso making it mandatory for the agency to seek and obtain the approval of the minister before a new directorate is created and section (9) to make 15 years experience the minimum requirement for appointment as director general of the agency.

Others are deletion of section (16)‎ for contravening with section 80 and 81 of the constitution; section (17)  deletes the power of the minister to issue directives as he may think necessary as to the disposal of any surplus funds of the agency.


Source: Leadership