Senate Passes Bill Imposing Death Sentence for Drug Traffickers
The Senate has given final approval to the NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which introduces the death penalty as the maximum purnshment for drug traffickers in Nigeria.
The Bill was passed into law on Thursday when the Senate transformed into a special committee, known as the Committee of the Whole, to carefully review and approve the Bill clause by clause. This review was based on a report from two joint committees: the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, and the Committee on Drugs & Narcotics.
The report was earlier laid at plenary by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, Senator Tahir Munguno.
In a review of the provisions for penalties in the amendment Bill towards strengthening the operations of the anti-narcotics agency, a proposed amendment to award a death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised by the Senate Chief Whip, which was eventually adopted.
However, there was slight uproar in the Red chamber as some lawmakers appeared displeased with the new provision.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed his displeasure over what he considered a hasty consideration and passage of the amended clause to the Bill.
The Deputy Senate President, who presided at the session, rejected Senator Oshiomhole’s call to reverse the ruling, insisting that it came late.