Death Penalty for Drug Offenses Approved by Senate in NDLEA Act Amendment

The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill that would amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, introducing harsher penalties for drug-related offenses.

The proposed legislation aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, enhance NDLEA operations, review penalties, and authorize the establishment of laboratories.

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Initially, the bill maintained the existing maximum sentence of life imprisonment for drug offenses.

However, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume proposed an amendment to upgrade the penalty to death, which was put to a voice vote by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

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Despite objections from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who advocated for a more deliberative approach to matters of life and death, the amendment was deemed approved, and the bill passed its third reading.