The Senate has input ‘Death penalty’ as punishment for those involved in the manufacture, processing and trafficking of dangerous and hard drugs in the country.

The Senate has also approved fifteen years imprisonment without the option of fine for those who consume the hard drugs in view of the havoc being created by substance and drug abuse in the country.

This development is to aid the hard drugs situation to be nipped in the bud as neglecting it has always had the potential of destroying the future of the country.

Approvals by the Upper Chamber was sequel to the consideration of Report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters and Drugs & Narcotics on the amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB. 472) presented by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North.

According to the Senate, the amendment became very imperative because it is the majority of the youth that are engaged in the drug and substance abuse.

Prior to the passage, the senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for a clause by clause consideration of the report.

During the review process of the Committee ‘s recommendations and especially with regard to issue of the penalty provisions towards strengthening the operations of the agency, a proposed amendment to award death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South and the Deputy Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, APC, Ebonyi North under clause 11.

When the matter was put to a voice vote, it appeared the nays had it, however when the question was put for a second vote, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North who presided ruled in favour of the I’s.