The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that the Federal Government is considering amendments to Nigeria’s drug laws to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers and introduce mandatory prison terms ranging from 15 to 25 years.
The development was revealed by the spokesperson of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday.
According to Babafemi, the proposed reform is aimed at closing legal gaps that currently allow convicted offenders to pay monetary penalties instead of serving prison sentences.
He stated that while the judiciary has remained a dependable partner in the prosecution of drug-related offences, the availability of fines has weakened deterrence and enabled offenders to return to illicit activities.
“There is a small challenge, and that is the issue of the option of fine, and we are grateful that the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is addressing that,” Babafemi said.
He explained that an Executive Bill is expected to be forwarded to the National Assembly to amend the existing law and eliminate the option of fines for drug trafficking offences.
According to him, under the proposed amendment, convicted traffickers would face compulsory imprisonment for periods ranging from 15 to 25 years.
“Because they know that there is a loophole for an option of fine, the judge gives an option of fine, and then you find them paying whether ₦5 million, ₦10 million or ₦20 million.
“But when that law is passed, there will be nothing like that. You will probably have a minimum of 15 to 25 years in prison so that you know that when you are arrested, you are going to jail and then you lose everything,” he stated.
Babafemi described drug trafficking as a global challenge but maintained that the NDLEA has intensified efforts to reduce the influence of drug cartels and dismantle trafficking networks across Nigeria.
He added that the agency currently records a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent in drug-related prosecutions.
The NDLEA spokesperson also noted that the agency’s operations have significantly disrupted drug circulation within the country.
According to him, reactions from users on social media suggest that enforcement activities have contributed to rising street prices of illicit substances.
Babafemi further disclosed that recent investigations uncovered billions of naira in bank accounts allegedly linked to suspected drug traffickers.
He said the accounts had been frozen while legal processes continue to secure forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.
He added that intensified enforcement has increasingly made Nigeria a difficult environment for drug trafficking operations, forcing some criminal networks to relocate to other countries.
