Senate on Thursday, May 9, approved the death penalty for those convicted on the charge of drug trafficking in the country.
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The punishment prescribed in the extant NDLEA Act is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Drugs & Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC – Borno North) presented the report during plenary.
The Bill which scaled a third reading, seeks to review the penalties provision in the Act, update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, and empower the NDLEA to establish laboratories.
Section 11 of the current Act prescribes that “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” was amended to reflect a stiffer penalty of death.
Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.
During a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.
But Senator Adams Oshiomhole objected to the ruling, saying that the “nays” had it.
He argued that matters of life and death should not be treated hurriedly, but Barau said it was too late, as he failed to call for division immediately after his ruling.
The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the Senate.
Speaking to reporters after plenary, Senator Monguno said those who are convicted of drug use or abuse are however to be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
He said even though Senator Oshiomhole objected to the new provision his intervention came late as it was not done timeously.
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.
