The House of Representatives has stated that it will approve the death sentence for heavy drug dealers and peddlers once the bill arrives from the Senate for concurrence.
The Nigerian Senate endorsed the death penalty in plenary for sellers and importers of cocaine, heroin, and other hard drugs entering the country.
The proposed capital punishment also applies to those who manufacture, traffic, or supply hard drugs through any means.
The Senate passed the resolution on the floor of the upper chamber following debate on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
During the discussion of the report on the bill for passage on Thursday, Senate Whip Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) proposed that the punishment of life imprisonment be “toughened” to the death penalty.
Despite the criticism of the Senate’s attitude, the House, through its deputy spokesman, Philip Agbese, committed to passing the bill with ease.
In a conversation with journalist, Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency in Benue State, said it is customary in parliament for the House to agree with measures already passed by the Senate.
He said, “It is part of our rules to support and concur with bills already passed by the Senate. This one (NDLEA Act Amendment Bill, 2024) touches on the fabric of our society and is in tandem with the 10th House of Representatives legislative agenda.
“Mr. Speaker and the entire House will be happy to receive and pass such a bill with alacrity to once again demonstrate to Nigerians that the 10th House is indeed the People’s Parliament.”
In a related event, the Lagos State Government has stated that it is prepared to implement the bill.
Speaking with reporters, Gbenga Omotoso, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, stated that once President Tinubu signs the bill, the state government will not hesitate to execute it.
He added that such a law was federal legislation that affected every federating unit in the country and that the state could not afford to oppose it, stating that it should be followed.
He said, “If the Senate has made the law, I think it affects everybody in Nigeria now. The state cannot choose which one to obey and which not to obey. I think it is a federal matter, and since it is a federation, it affects all of us.
“I’m not a lawyer, but I think it’s a federation, and when the Senate says this is the law, that is the law. The state cannot choose which one to obey or not.”
