By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
The Federal Government is set to amend Nigeria’s anti-drug laws to eliminate the option of paying fines for convicted drug traffickers, a reform aimed at strengthening the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed this development through its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday.
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Babafemi praised the judiciary for its strong collaboration with the agency, noting that the NDLEA has achieved a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent. He said many cases do not go on appeal because suspects are often arrested with clear and overwhelming evidence.
Despite the high conviction rate, the NDLEA identified the provision allowing convicted offenders to pay fines instead of serving jail terms as a significant weakness in the current law.
“Some offenders exploit the option by paying fines ranging from millions of naira after conviction, thereby avoiding custodial sentences,” Babafemi explained.
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He revealed that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is currently working on an executive bill to amend the law and remove the fine option entirely.
“We’re grateful that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney General, is addressing that. An executive bill will soon be transmitted to the National Assembly to amend the law so there will be no option of fine,” he stated.
Once the amendment is passed, convicted drug traffickers will face mandatory prison terms, with sentences expected to range from a minimum of 15 years to as much as 25 years, depending on the severity of the offence.
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Babafemi added that the tougher penalties would act as a stronger deterrent. Convicted offenders would not only lose their freedom but also forfeit assets linked to their criminal activities.
“They will know that once they are arrested and convicted, they are going to jail, and they will lose everything. The NDLEA will not close its eyes to their assets. Those assets are forfeited and auctioned to the public,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesman expressed confidence that the proposed legal reform would close a critical gap in the country’s anti-drug framework and significantly boost ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse across Nigeria.
The executive bill is expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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