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Nigerian authorities are working to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers, a provision that weakens the fight against drug-related crimes, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said.
Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said the proposed amendment would eliminate the fine option and replace it with mandatory prison terms ranging from 15 to 25 years.
“There is a small nag there and that is the issue of the option of fine, and we are very grateful that the government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is addressing that,” Babafemi said.
“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,” he added.
He noted that the agency records a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent but said the option of fines has been a major challenge.
“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,” he said
“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.”
