This decision marks a notable departure from the existing provision in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, which stipulates a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for such offences.

The Senate arrived at this resolution following a thorough consideration of a report presented by the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Drugs and Narcotics, concerning the NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Senator Mohammed Monguno, representing APC-Borno North and Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, presented the report during the plenary session.

The primary objective of the bill, which successfully passed its third reading, is to modernize the list of dangerous drugs, enhance the effectiveness of NDLEA operations, review penalties, and facilitate the establishment of drug testing laboratories.

One significant amendment proposed by the bill involves Section 11 of the current NDLEA Act, which pertains to offences related to the importation, manufacturing, production, processing, planting, or growing of prohibited drugs such as cocaine, LSD, and heroin. While the existing legislation mandates a life sentence for these offences, the Senate opted to elevate the penalty to the death sentence.

During deliberations on the bill, Senator Ali Ndume advocated for the imposition of the death penalty, a stance that was eventually endorsed by the majority of senators during a clause-by-clause consideration. Despite objections from Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who expressed concerns about the gravity of the decision, the Senate proceeded with the approval.