The Senate has given the green light for death penalty on Nigerians found guilty of drug trafficking.
As reported by The Nation the Senate’s decision came after reviewing a report from the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, and Drugs & Narcotics, concerning the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Senator Mohammed Monguno, Chairman of the committee on Judicial and Human Rights and Legal Matters, presented the report during Thursday’s plenary session on May 9, 2024.
According to section 11 of the NDLEA Act, “Any person who, without lawful authority; imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life.”
The section was revised to impose a harsher punishment of death on drug traffickers.
Even though the committee’s report didn’t propose a death penalty for the offense, Senator Ali Ndume proposed upgrading the penalty to death.
Subsequently, the Senate conducted a voice vote on the amendment for the death penalty, with most lawmakers backing Ndume’s proposal.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole raised objections, stating that matters of life and death shouldn’t be rushed. Nonetheless, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who chaired the session, deemed Oshiomhole’s objection untimely.
He, however, said that Oshiomhole still has a window to bring a motion on the matter to the floor to vitiate the resolution of the Senate.
Senator Monguno informed reporters after the plenary that individuals found guilty of drug use or abuse will instead face a 15-year prison term without the possibility of a fine.
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