NASS Amends NDLEA Act, Approves Life Imprisonment for Drug Traffickers

NASS Amends NDLEA Act, Approves Life Imprisonment for Drug Traffickers

By Fly Cable News

The Senate has agreed with the House of Representatives to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment for individuals convicted of trafficking, storing, or concealing hard drugs and other illicit substances.

This decision follows an amendment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, which was reviewed at a plenary session chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, representing Kano North. A majority of senators supported the harmonization of both chambers’ conference committees regarding Section 11 of the NDLEA Act.

Earlier, the House of Representatives passed an amendment proposing life imprisonment for drug traffickers, while the Senate had suggested the death penalty. To resolve the disagreement, both chambers held a conference committee, ultimately agreeing on the life imprisonment provision.

Senator Tahir Monguno, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, highlighted that adopting the death penalty could result in the execution of over 900 individuals currently imprisoned for drug-related offenses. He advocated for the life imprisonment option to mitigate the impact of drug trafficking in the country.

Following the presentation, the Deputy Senate President called for a vote, which resulted in a majority supporting the life imprisonment amendment.

The revised section now states: “Anyone unlawfully involved in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances, and who is armed with any offensive weapon or in disguise, shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to life imprisonment.”