Nigeria passes bill seeking to impose death penalty on drug dealers

The Senate in Nigeria passed a bill for third reading that proposes the imposition of the death penalty on individuals convicted of drug trafficking. The move came after Borno North Senator Tahir Monguno presented a report on behalf of the joint committees on judiciary and drugs and narcotics.

Monguno emphasised the importance of intensifying efforts to combat the drug problem in Nigeria during his presentation. Following the report, the Senate transitioned into a “committee of the whole” to review the bill’s clauses, where some senators expressed their opposition to the death penalty.

Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole voiced his concerns, urging the Senate to exercise caution with any legislation that involves taking a person’s life. The debate continues as the Senate considers the proposed legislation’s potential impact and the ethical implications of the death penalty for drug trafficking.

“Anything that deals with life, we should be careful,” Oshiomhole said.

Responding, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau said Oshiomhole should have called for a divide.

He said: “I’m sorry my former national chairman… you should have called for a divide, it is your right, but we have passed it.”

Recently, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made substantial seizures of substances ranging from cannabis to opioids from suspected traffickers.

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