Senate Passes Bill Enforcing Death Penalty For Drug Traffickers

The Nigerian Senate has given its approval to a bill that imposes the death penalty on drug traffickers in the country. The bill, known as the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill, passed its third reading, paving the way for stricter penalties for drug-related offenses.

During the deliberations, which saw the Senate convene into a committee of the whole, the proposed amendment to introduce death as the penalty for drug trafficking was put forward. This amendment, suggested under clause 11 of the bill, replaces the previous penalty of a life sentence for such offenses.

Initially, there was a divided voice vote on the matter, but upon a second vote, the decision to impose the death penalty prevailed. This decision, however, was met with dissent from some senators, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who voiced concerns over the perceived haste in considering and passing the amendment.

Despite objections, the Deputy Senate President upheld the ruling in favor of the amendment, citing procedural rules. This decision marks a significant step in the Senate’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen the operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).