Nigeria’s senate has passed a bill for a third reading, proposing the death penalty for individuals convicted of drug trafficking, replacing the previous maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Introduced by Senator Mohammed Monguno on behalf of the joint committees on Judiciary and Drugs and Narcotics, the bill aims to impose a harsher punishment to deter drug trafficking.
Proponents of the bill argue that the threat of execution would serve as a stronger deterrent compared to life imprisonment.
However, opponents raised concerns about the irreversible nature of the death penalty and the potential for wrongful convictions.
Despite the objections, the majority of senators voted in favor of the bill, which also aims to bolster the operations of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The bill now awaits presidential approval to be enacted into law.
Nigeria has recently witnessed significant drug seizures, including cannabis and opioids, from suspected traffickers.
