The Federal Government has commenced moves to abolish the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers, proposing mandatory prison sentences of between 15 and 25 years in a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said the proposed amendment to the NDLEA Act is being driven through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and would soon be transmitted to the National Assembly as an executive bill.
Speaking on Monday, on a private TV programme, the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, described the existing provision allowing convicted traffickers to pay fines instead of serving prison terms as a major loophole that undermines anti-drug efforts.
According to him, the amendment would ensure that convicted drug traffickers face mandatory jail terms rather than paying millions of naira in fines and returning to the illicit drug trade.
“There is a small snag, and that is the issue of the option of fine. We are grateful that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is addressing that,” Babafemi said.
He added, “There is an executive bill that will soon get to the National Assembly to amend the law so there will no longer be an option of fine. When that law is passed, there will probably be a minimum of 15 years and up to 25 years in prison, so anyone arrested will know they are going to jail and lose everything.”
Babafemi disclosed that the NDLEA currently records a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent, attributing the success to the cooperation of the judiciary in prosecuting drug-related offences.
He said the agency’s sustained clampdown on drug trafficking had significantly reduced the availability of illicit drugs across the country, resulting in sharp increases in street prices.
According to him, some drug users have openly complained online about the rising cost of cannabis, which he said had increased from about N5,000 to N35,000 per gram due to intensified enforcement operations.
The NDLEA spokesman also revealed that the agency had uncovered billions of naira in bank accounts linked to suspected drug traffickers during recent operations.
He said the accounts had been frozen while the agency pursues legal processes to secure their forfeiture to the Federal Government.
Babafemi further stated that Nigeria had become increasingly hostile to drug traffickers, forcing many suspects to flee abroad.
He, however, said the agency was collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to track fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.
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