FG aims to end fine option for convicted drug traffickers, proposes 15-25 years in prison

The Federal Government has launched 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 law is being passed through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and will soon be forwarded to the National Assembly as an executive bill.

Speaking on a private television program on Monday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi described the existing provision that allows convicted traffickers to pay fines instead of serving prison terms as a serious loophole that undermines anti-drug efforts.

According to him, the amendment would ensure that convicted drug traffickers face mandatory prison terms rather than pay millions of naira in fines and return to illicit drug trafficking.

“There is one small snag, and that is the issue of the fine option. We are grateful that the federal government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is addressing this issue,” Babafemi said.

He added: “There is a bill coming to the National Assembly soon to change the law so that there is no longer the option of fines. When that law is passed, there will probably be a minimum of 15 years and up to 25 years in prison, so anyone who gets arrested will know that they will go to prison and lose everything.”

Babafemi revealed that the NDLEA currently records a conviction rate of almost 90%, attributing the success to the cooperation of the judiciary in prosecuting drug-related offences.

He said the agency’s continued crackdown on drug trafficking has significantly reduced the availability of illicit drugs across the country, resulting in sharp increases in retail prices.

According to him, some drug users have openly complained online about the rising cost of cannabis, which he said has increased from about N5,000 to N35,000 per gram due to the intensified enforcement operations.

The NDLEA spokesperson also disclosed that the agency had discovered billions of naira in bank accounts linked to suspected drug traffickers during recent operations.

He said the accounts have been frozen while the agency pursues legal proceedings to secure their seizure by the federal government.

Babafemi also said Nigeria had become increasingly hostile to drug traffickers, forcing many suspects to flee abroad.

However, he said the agency was working with international law enforcement agencies to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.

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