The National Assembly has enacted life imprisonment for individuals convicted of drug offenses and trafficking, following an amendment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.
This development follows the endorsement of a harmonized report by both the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning the amendment of the NDLEA Act.
Presenting the report, Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, articulated that the amendment aims to deter illicit drug activities by instituting more rigorous penalties.
The amendment explicitly stipulates, “Any person who unlawfully engages in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and, while doing so, is armed with an offensive weapon or is disguised in any manner, commits an offense under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment.”
The Senate ratified the recommendation through a voice vote during a plenary session on Thursday, November 21, overseen by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.