The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said the Federal Government is working to remove the option of fines for convicted drug traffickers, describing the current provision as a loophole weakening the fight against drug-related crimes.
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NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Babafemi said the judiciary has remained a strong partner in the agency’s prosecution of drug offenders, noting that the NDLEA records a conviction rate of nearly 90 per cent.
He, however, said the option of fine available to some convicted drug traffickers has remained a major concern because it allows offenders to pay money and return to the illicit trade instead of serving prison terms.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is already addressing the issue through a proposed amendment to the law.
“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,” 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 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 N5 million, N10 million, N20 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 the proposed amendment would ensure that convicted drug traffickers face mandatory prison terms instead of escaping with fines.
He said the measure would serve as a stronger deterrent and send a clear message that drug trafficking carries serious consequences.
The NDLEA spokesman described the global drug problem as a hydra-headed challenge, but said the agency has remained relentless in its campaign against trafficking and abuse of illicit substances.
He said sustained operations by the agency have reduced the availability of illicit drugs in the country, resulting in scarcity and a sharp increase in street prices.
According to him, even drug users have acknowledged the impact of NDLEA’s enforcement activities.
“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,’” he said.
Babafemi also disclosed that in some recent operations, the agency uncovered billions of naira in bank accounts linked to suspected drug traffickers.
He said the funds have been frozen while the agency is taking steps to secure their final forfeiture to the Federal Government.
He added that Nigeria has become increasingly hostile for drug traffickers, forcing many of them to relocate to other countries to evade arrest.
Babafemi, however, said the NDLEA continues to monitor such suspects through collaboration with foreign drug enforcement agencies, with the aim of tracking them down and bringing them to justice.
He maintained that the agency would continue to combine prosecution, asset tracing, international cooperation and aggressive enforcement to make drug trafficking less attractive and more costly for offenders.
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