The Nigerian Senate has sanctioned the death penalty for drug offenders across the nation. This decision was reached on Thursday as the lawmakers passed a bill to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.
The Senate’s resolution stemmed from its review of a report from the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Drugs and Narcotics on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
During the plenary session, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North), Chair of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, presented the report.
The bill, which underwent its third reading, seeks to update the list of prohibited drugs, enhance NDLEA’s operations, revise penalties, and facilitate the establishment of laboratories.
The amendment to Section 11 of the existing act, which previously prescribed life imprisonment for offenses related to drugs such as cocaine, LSD, and heroin, now imposes the death penalty.
While the report initially did not propose the death penalty, Senator Ali Ndume suggested upgrading the punishment to death during deliberations.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, presiding over the session, called for a voice vote on the amendment to introduce the death penalty, ruling in favor of it.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole contested the ruling, insisting that the opposition had prevailed. He underscored the gravity of matters involving life and death.
Barau maintained that it was too late to challenge the decision as Oshiomhole had not called for a division immediately after the ruling.
Ultimately, the Senate passed the bill after its third reading.
