Senate Passes Amendment Bill Approving Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers
In a groundbreaking decision, the Nigerian Senate has approved the death penalty as a punishment for drug traffickers in the country. The approval came as the Senate passed the third reading of the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill.
The proposal for the death sentence was passed on Thursday, following a detailed review of the legislation by the Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, and Drugs & Narcotics National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Senator Tahir Munguno.
During the deliberations on strengthening the agency’s operations, the Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, raised the proposal to amend the penalty provisions to include the death sentence for drug traffickers instead of just a life sentence. This sparked a heated debate among senators.
After a voice vote initially showed more senators opposing the amendment, a second vote was called by the Deputy Senate President, where the majority voted in favor of the death penalty. This decision caused some unrest among lawmakers who were not in agreement.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed his discontent over what he perceived as a rushed consideration and passage of the amended clause. Despite his objection, the Deputy Senate President stood by the ruling, citing the lateness of the objection.
Following the debates and discussions, the amended bill was successfully read for the third time and passed by the Senate. This significant move marks a pivotal moment in the fight against drug trafficking in Nigeria, signaling a tougher stance on offenders in the coming years.
