By Ibironke Ariyo
An NGO, Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), has raised concern over the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) proposed amendment to impose death penalty as maximum punishment for drug offenders.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Oluwafunke Adeoye, said the proposed amendment would not curb the scourge during a news conference to commemorate the 2024 World Drug Day on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adeoye urged the National Assembly to critically review and reverse its position on the use of Death Penalty for Drug offence in Nigeria.
She said that the proposal represented a severe setback for human dignity and criminal justice reforms in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Proposed Amendment, known as the NDLEA (Amendment) Bill, 2024, encompasses diverse objectives, including enhancing the operational efficiency of the NDLEA.
NAN reports that other objectives also include facilitating the establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories for drug analysis among others, all of which are very much welcome.
However, a major amendment highlighted in the bill is the modification of Section 11 of the existing act, which pertains to the punishment of drug offenses.
Adeoye said that the previous legislation prescribed life imprisonment for offence involving the importation of hard drugs.
“However, the amended version introduces a much stricter penalty – the death penalty. After extensive consideration, the bill passed its third reading and received unanimous Senate approval.
“This development reflects a fearful stance against progressive criminal justice reforms in Nigeria.
“On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold human rights and human dignity and to promote justice that restores.
“Hope Behind Bars Africa firmly opposes the introduction of the death penalty for drug offenses in Nigeria.
“We urge the National Assembly to reconsider this bill and focus on progressive, humane, and effective solutions to address the drug endemic,“ he said.
The NGO emphasised that Hope Behind Bars Africa’s position against the death penalty should not be misconstrued as support for crime-related activities.
She said that the organisation had overtime supported the mandate of the Legal Aid Council to ensure the speedy delivery of justice for the socio-economically disadvantaged.
This, she said was firmly upholding human rights and ensuring that indigent persons charged with capital offenses had the best form of legal representation pro bono.
She added that the organisation’s approach to crime deterrence was co-creating evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of crime and uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals in the process.
According to her, Specifically for drug related offenses, we believe that the evidence is clear, the government must invest in prevention.
She said “On this WDD observed annually on June 26 to promote action and cooperation for a drug-free world, we believe it is crucial to amend the NDLEA Act.
Adeoye called on the national assembly to focus on Including appropriate proactive measures to block the pipeline through which people were able to access illicit drugs.
She also called on the lawmakers to develop detailed guidelines for appropriate imprisonment and fines for drug offenses by categorising them based on the type of narcotic and specific quantities involved.
“Also, discriminalisation of low-level drug use or implementation of non-custodial sanctions alongside adequate mental health support.
“There is need to Adopt harm reduction strategies by strengthening social protection systems and implementing policies that focus on public health approaches to drug use, access to treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
“Also, Investment in the capacity development of law enforcement officers, judicial officers and other stakeholders who handle drug-related cases.
“Enhancing oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure that legal processes adhere to human rights standards will go a long way,“ she said.
NAN reports that the Senate on May 10 approved a death penalty for drug offenders found guilty of drug offence .
The senate’s decision follows the consideration of a report by a joint Committee on Judiciary , Human Rights and Legal Matters and Committee on Drugs and Narcotics on an Act to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement agency Act .
The contentious clause II recommending a death sentence sparked an uproar among a cross section of Lawmakers in the Senate but it was eventually passed
Chairman of the joint committee , Senator Tahir Monguno presenting the report to amend the National drug law enforcement agency act to strengthen the operation of the agency , review penalty provisions and enhance the power of the agency to prosecute drug related offences .
During the clause by clause consideration , the Chief Whip of the Senate , Ali Ndume, disapproved of the Committee’s recommendation on clause 11 which proposes a more lenient penalty for drug offenders of not more than 25 years imprisonment , without option of fine different from what is contained in the Act which provides a life sentence .
The lawmaker proposed a death Sentence for anyone found guilty to serve as a deterrent to drug offenders .
