How Jimmy Carter, Yakubu Gowon Helped Pfizer Evade Justice in Deadly Nigerian Drug Trial
In 1996, Kano, Nigeria, was the epicentre of a meningitis outbreak, prompting global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to propose administering Trovan, an experimental antibiotic, to affected patients.
The Nigerian military government, led by General Sani Abacha, granted permission, setting the stage for a medical scandal that would claim the lives of at least 11 people, primarily children, and leave many others with lifelong health complications.
Unbeknownst to Nigerian authorities, Trovan was still undergoing clinical trials and had not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Pfizer bypassed standard ethical procedures requiring informed consent from test subjects or their families, effectively using unsuspecting Nigerians as human test specimens.
Years of inaction followed the tragedy until President Umar Musa Yar’Adua’s administration took decisive action in 2007, initiating criminal and civil lawsuits against Pfizer.
The Nigerian government demanded $2 billion in compensation for the lives lost and the enduring suffering caused by the unauthorised trial.
Influence-Peddling and Lobbying
Faced with the gravity of the lawsuit, Pfizer engaged in aggressive lobbying, enlisting powerful figures both in Nigeria and the United States to secure a favourable settlement.
In Nigeria, former military head of state Yakubu Gowon, along with representatives of the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and other prominent personalities, were mobilised.
On the international front, then-US President George W. Bush tasked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and diplomat Thomas Pickering to pressure the Nigerian government into a compromise.
Reports indicate that former US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away recently at the age of 100, played a pivotal role in the negotiations.
Alongside Gowon, Carter reportedly facilitated discussions that led to a drastic reduction of the compensation from $2 billion to a paltry $75 million.
French media outlet France24 highlighted their involvement, stating, “The US pharmaceuticals giant has been locked in months of negotiations with Kano State. The talks were brokered by former US president Jimmy Carter and Nigeria’s former military leader Yakubu Gowon.”
A report by the now-defunct NEXT newspaper underscored the significance of their influence, noting that Pfizer’s settlement was slashed from an initial $2 billion to $150 million and eventually to $75 million.
During a committee meeting, Gowon reportedly made a shocking statement, asserting that the life of a child born in Kano was inferior to that of an American child.
His remark, which was allegedly intended to justify the reduced fine, sparked outrage among committee members.
Although he quickly apologised and pleaded for his comment to remain private, the damage had already been done.
Decades of Suffering for Survivors
The aftermath of the illegal drug trial continues to haunt survivors and their families.
Many live with severe physical and genetic deformities, a stark reminder of the incident’s devastating impact.
A recent documentary by Lagos-based News Central highlighted the enduring struggles of the victims, who still battle feelings of dehumanisation nearly three decades later.
Jimmy Carter, remembered globally as a champion of human rights, passed away on Sunday, eliciting tributes from around the world.
However, his involvement in brokering a deal that prioritised corporate interests over justice for Nigerian children raises critical questions about his legacy.
The survivors of the Trovan trial continue to await justice, their lives permanently altered by a tragedy that could have been avoided.
Source: FIJ.NG
