The Senate has given its approval for the imposition of the death penalty on individuals involved in the importation, manufacturing, trafficking, dealing, or delivery of hard drugs in Nigeria.

This significant decision was made during the consideration of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Thursday.

The Senate Whip, Sen. Ali Ndume, proposed the amendment to increase the penalty for drug-related offenses to the death sentence, citing the global standard for addressing drug problems affecting youth.

He stated, “This should be changed to the death sentence. This is the standard worldwide. We have to do this to address this drug problem that has seriously affected our youth.”

However, the proposal faced strong opposition from some senators, including former Edo State Governor, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole expressed his concerns, emphasizing the seriousness of matters related to life and death.

Oshiomhole insisted, “When a matter has to do with life and death, we should be accountable. Let’s divide the Senate. This is lawmaking. We are not here to take voice votes.”

Despite the protest, the Deputy Senate President (DSP), Sen. Jibrin, upheld the decision, explaining that Oshiomhole should have called for a division of the Senate immediately after the voting.

The bill was eventually passed for a third reading by the Senate. Sen. Mohammed Monguno, the lead chairman of the committee, affirmed that the death penalty provision was approved despite the protest.

He stated, “The ruling of the presiding officer is the position of the Senate.”