Senate Passes Death Penalty for Drug Offenders In NDLEA Act Amendment

• Nigerian Senate approves death penalty for drug offenders, amending NDLEA Act.

• Committee report presented by Senator Mohammed Monguno during plenary.

• Section 11 amended to include death penalty; bill passed after contentious debate.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigerian Senate has passed a bill to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, approving the death penalty for drug offenders in the country.

This decision was made following the Senate’s consideration of a report from the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Drugs and Narcotics on the NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• MTN Nigeria To Adjust Call tariffs Amid Operational Challenges
• Details As Tinubu’s Govt Plans Inauguration Of 3 Massive Gas Infrastructure Projects
• ‘Reopen Matawalle’s Case’ – Protesters Storm EFCC Headquarters

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 passed its third reading, aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, review penalties, and empower the establishment of 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.

Drug offenders

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.

FURTHER READING 

• EFCC Declares War Against Schools, Hotels, Others Charging Customers In Dollars
• High Court Sets Date For Okuama Community’s Case Against Nigerian Army
• Lagos Taskforce Arrests Over 50 Suspected Hoodlums After Market Violence

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.

Click here to watch our video of the week: 

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611