The Senate has approved the death sentence as a penalty for drug traffickers in the country.

The proposal was adopted when the Senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for a clause-by-clause consideration of a report of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

In a review of the penalty provisions of the amendment bill 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 by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator PETER NWEBONYI.

Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator ALI NDUME also moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.

The Deputy President of the Senate, BARAU JIBRIN, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.

Senator ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE, however, expressed his displeasure over what he considered a hasty consideration and passage of the amended clause.

The Deputy President of the Senate rejected an objection by Senator OSHIOMHOLE to reverse the ruling, insisting that it came late which is against the rules.