The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that the Federal Government is working to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers, describing the provision as a loophole that weakens the fight against drug-related crimes.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the judiciary has remained a strong partner in the agency’s efforts to prosecute drug offenders, noting that the agency records a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent.
He, however, identified the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers as a major challenge, saying its removal would serve as a stronger deterrent.
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“There is a small nag there and that is the issue of the option of fine, and we are very grateful that the Federal Government through the office of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is addressing that.
“I think there is an executive bill which will soon get to the national assembly to amend the law so that there will be no that option of fine.
“Because they know that there is a loophole for an option of fine, the judge gives an option of fine, then you find them paying there whether 5 million, 10 million, 20 million.
“But that I believe is being addressed at the moment and when that law is passed then there will be nothing like that, you will have probably a minimum of 15 then 25 years in prison so that you know that when you are arrested you are going to jail and then you lose everything,” Babafemi said.
He said the proposed amendment, being championed through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, would eliminate the fine option and replace it with mandatory prison terms ranging from 15 to 25 years for convicted drug traffickers.
This, he said, would ensure that offenders face imprisonment rather than paying fines and returning to the illicit drug trade.
Babafemi described the global drug problem as a hydra-headed monster, but said the NDLEA has remained relentless in its campaign against drug trafficking, recording significant successes.
He said the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug traffickers has reduced the availability of illicit drugs, leading to scarcity and a sharp rise in street prices.
According to him, even drug users have acknowledged the impact of the agency’s operations.
“If you follow some of the conversations online, you will hear young people complaining, ‘Why are you people always seizing these things? Now because of what you are doing, a gram of cana has moved from N5,000 to N35,000.’”
Babafemi said the agency has, in some of its recent operations, uncovered billions of naira in the bank accounts of suspected drug traffickers, adding that the funds have been frozen while efforts are underway to secure their forfeiture to the Federal Government.
Babafemi said Nigeria has become an increasingly hostile environment for drug traffickers, forcing many of them to relocate to other countries to evade arrest.
He, however, said the agency continues to monitor their activities through collaboration with its counterparts in the countries where they are hiding, with the aim of tracking them down and bringing them to justice.
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