On May 9, the Nigerian Senate sanctioned capital punishment for individuals convicted of drug trafficking, marking a significant shift from the previous maximum sentence of life imprisonment outlined in the NDLEA Act.
This legislative change was precipitated by the Senate’s review of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, presented by Senator Mohammed Monguno, the head of the Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters Committee.
The revised bill, now endorsed in its third reading, seeks to revise the list of controlled substances, bolster the NDLEA’s capabilities, modify existing penalties, and authorize the creation of specialized laboratories.
A pivotal amendment was made to Section 11 of the act, which previously mandated life imprisonment for unauthorized dealings in narcotics like cocaine, LSD, and heroin.
The section now prescribes the death penalty.
The recommendation for this harsher penalty was not part of the original committee report but was introduced by Senator Ali Ndume during the bill’s detailed examination.
Despite some contention, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole advocating for a more cautious approach to such grave matters, the amendment was adopted following a voice vote led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
