The National Assembly has strengthened Nigeria’s stance against illegal drug activities by amending the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act to include life imprisonment as the penalty for drug offenders and traffickers.
This landmark decision followed the adoption of the harmonized report presented by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the NDLEA Act amendment.
Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, Senator Tahir Monguno, emphasized the need for stricter laws to combat the persistent menace of illegal drug activities.
According to him, the amendment aims to deter individuals from engaging in such criminal enterprises.
The revised NDLEA Act explicitly stipulates severe penalties for certain drug-related offenses.
It states, “Any person who unlawfully engages in the storage, custody, movement, carriage or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and, while doing so, is armed with an offensive weapon or disguised in any manner, commits an offence under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment.”
This resolution was approved through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
The decision signifies the legislature’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s drug crisis comprehensively.
In a related development, the Senate also advanced a major reform of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission by passing a bill to overhaul its operational structure and funding model.
Known as the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission Bill, 2024, the legislation is designed to replace the outdated RMAFC Act of 2004, which no longer aligns with Nigeria’s current economic realities.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, presented the bill, stressing the importance of modernizing the commission to address Nigeria’s governance and developmental challenges.
“The Act, last revised over 20 years ago, no longer reflects Nigeria’s evolving economic realities. This bill proposes additional funding and a restructured operational framework for the commission to improve its efficiency,” he said.
The proposed law highlights the critical need for RMAFC to receive adequate funding from the Federation Account, as financial constraints have previously hampered its ability to perform its constitutional duties effectively.
Abdullahi further noted that the commission’s reform is urgent, especially given Nigeria’s dwindling revenue and a rapidly growing population.
The Senate endorsed the RMAFC bill through deliberations and a majority vote, signaling broad support for its provisions.
Both the NDLEA amendment and the RMAFC bill now await the assent of President Bola Tinubu to be enacted into law, marking a significant step in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
