National Assembly Approves Life Sentences For Drug Offenders
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The National Assembly has prescribed life imprisonment for drug offenders and traffickers.
This followed the amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.
It came after the adoption of the harmonised report by the Senate and House of Representatives on the NDLEA Act amendment.
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Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, Senator Tahir Monguno, explained that the amendment seeks to impose stricter penalties to deter illegal drug activities.
The amendment specifically states, “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 disguised in any manner, commits an offence under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment.”
The Senate approved the recommendation through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
In addition to the NDLEA amendment, the Senate also passed a bill to empower the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.
