National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Nigerian Senate has approved the imposition of the death penalty on individuals involved in the trafficking, importation, and distribution of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin within the country.
This decision was reached during deliberations on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, held on the floor of the red chamber.
Previously, the maximum punishment for such offenses was life imprisonment. However, following recommendations from Senate Whip Ali Ndume, the penalty has been toughened to include the death sentence.
While some senators, including former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole, expressed reservations about the severity of the punishment, the proposal ultimately passed after a vote.
Despite objections, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin upheld the decision, citing procedural reasons.
The bill, which underwent thorough consideration by the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters/Drugs and Narcotics, has now been passed for a third reading.
However, the House of Representatives and the Senate are yet to reconcile their positions on the punishment for drug offenders, with the former proposing life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the bill has not yet become law, senior anti-narcotics officers anticipate that such stringent measures, if enacted, would serve as a deterrent to illicit drug trafficking and usage.
