By Stephen Simon
The Federal Government has commenced moves to abolish the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking and ensure stiffer punishment for offenders. The proposed reform is expected to amend the existing law governing drug-related offences.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed the development on Monday, saying the proposed amendment is being championed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice through an Executive Bill that will soon be transmitted to the National Assembly.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the current provision allowing convicted drug traffickers to pay fines instead of serving prison terms has created a loophole that undermines the country’s anti-drug campaign. According to him, many offenders simply pay the fines and return to the illicit drug trade.
He explained that the proposed amendment would replace the fine option with mandatory custodial sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years, a measure the agency believes will serve as a stronger deterrent against drug trafficking.
Babafemi noted that despite the challenge posed by the fine option, the judiciary has remained a dependable partner in the fight against narcotics, with the NDLEA recording a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent in drug-related cases across the country.
He added that the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug traffickers has significantly reduced the availability of illicit drugs, leading to higher street prices and the freezing of billions of naira traced to suspected traffickers, pending forfeiture proceedings.
If approved by the National Assembly and signed into law, the amendment would mark one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s drug enforcement regime in recent years, ensuring that convicted traffickers face lengthy prison terms rather than paying fines to regain their freedom.
