In a significant move aimed at curbing drug-related crimes in Nigeria, the National Assembly has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, prescribing life imprisonment for individuals convicted of storing, moving, or concealing hard drugs and other illicit substances.
Harmonization of Divergent Proposals
The amendment came after a conference committee was established to harmonize differing versions of the amendment passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. While the House initially proposed life imprisonment for drug traffickers, the Senate had suggested the death penalty.
The committee, chaired by Tahir Monguno, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, resolved to adopt the House’s recommendation of life imprisonment.
Explaining the decision, Mr. Monguno emphasized that implementing the death penalty could lead to the execution of over 900 individuals currently awaiting trial for drug-related offenses. He urged his colleagues to support the life sentence as a step toward reducing drug trafficking and its effects in the country.
Adoption of the Amendment
During Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, the amendment received overwhelming support from senators through a voice vote. The revised section now states:
“Anybody who is unlawfully involved in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and who, while so involved, is armed with any offensive weapon or is disguised in any way, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Next Steps
The amended bill will now be sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent. Given that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) controls the parliament, the president is expected to approve the amendment without objections.
Significance of the Amendment
This legislative action marks a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to combating drug-related offences. By adopting life imprisonment instead of capital punishment, the National Assembly aims to strike a balance between deterrence and human rights while also addressing concerns about the justice system’s capacity to handle drug-related cases equitably.
