The Senate has approved the death sentence as a penalty for drug traffickers in the country, as part of the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill.
The proposal was adopted on Thursday during a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of 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.
The amendment bill includes a provision to award a death sentence to drug traffickers, replacing the previous penalty of a life sentence.
This decision was met with some controversy, as a voice vote initially indicated opposition, but a subsequent vote ruled in favor of the amendment, leading to a slight uproar among lawmakers.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed his displeasure over what he considered a hasty consideration and passage of the amended clause. However, the Deputy Senate President rejected an objection to reverse the ruling, citing procedural rules.
In addition to the amendment bill, the Senate also commenced a review of salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria.
The executive bill seeking to prescribe the salaries of judicial office holders at both federal and state levels scaled second reading, with the aim of addressing prolonged stagnation in remuneration and reflecting current socio-economic realities.
