Legislature
Senate Passes Bill to Impose Death Penalty on Drug Traffickers
By Iyojo Ameh
The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill that mandates the death penalty for individuals convicted of drug trafficking within the country. The bill, presented by Senator Tahir Monguno representing Borno North, received unanimous support during its third reading in the Senate chamber.
The legislation aims to overhaul existing laws governing drug offenses, bolster the operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and establish stricter penalties for offenders.
The move to introduce the death penalty came as an amendment to Section 11 of the current NDLEA Act, which previously prescribed a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for drug trafficking offenses.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, presiding over the session, facilitated a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. Despite objections from Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the gravity of the decision, the amendment to impose the death penalty was put to a voice vote and passed with a majority in favor.
Senator Oshiomhole’s concerns about the weightiness of matters concerning life and death were acknowledged; however, the decision had already been made, as no immediate call for division was made following the ruling.
The Senate’s approval of the bill signifies a significant escalation in Nigeria’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and related offenses. While proponents argue that harsher penalties are necessary to deter illicit activities, critics caution against the potential for miscarriages of justice and the infringement on human rights.
With the bill passed by the Senate, it now awaits further consideration and potential amendments in the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law by the President.
