Reps back Senate on death penalty for drug dealers

The House of Representatives has said it will approve the death penalty for hard drug dealers and peddlers when the bill arrives at its chamber from the Senate for concurrence.

The Nigerian Senate had during plenary approved the death penalty for dealers and importers of cocaine, heroin, and other hard drugs into the country.

The proposed capital punishment also applies to manufacturers and traffickers in or delivery of hard drugs by any means.

The Senate had arrived at the resolution on the floor of the red chamber after deliberations on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

During the consideration of the report on the bill for passage on Thursday, Senate Whip, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), recommended that the punishment of life imprisonment be “toughened” to the death penalty.

However, despite the knocks trailing the Senate’s position, the House, through its deputy spokesman, Philip Agbese, similarly pledged to pass the bill with ease.

In a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH, Agbese who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Benue State, said it is a tradition in the parliament for the House to concur with bills already passed by the Senate.

He said, “It is part of our rules to support and concur with bills already passed by the Senate. This one (NDLEA Act Amendment Bill, 2024) touches on the fabric of our society and is in tandem with the 10th House of RepresentativesLegislative Agenda.

“Mr Speaker and the entire House will be happy to receive and pass such a bill with alacrity to once again demonstrate to Nigerians that the 10th House is indeed the People’s Parliament.”