The Senate has approved the death sentence as penalty for drug traffickers in the country, as it passes through the third reading, the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill.

The proposal was adopted today when the Senate dissolved into a clause-by-clause consideration of a report from Senator Tahir Munguno, Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, as well as Drugs & Narcotics.

In a review of the penalty provisions towards strengthening the operations of the agency, a proposed amendment to award a death sentence to drug traffickers rather than just a life sentence was raised.

The upper chamber also commenced the review of salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria, in a bid to curb bribery and corruption and ensure independence of the judiciary.