The National Assembly has approved life imprisonment for drug offenders, a significant amendment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act. This landmark decision emerged from the harmonised report presented by the Senate and House of Representatives during Thursday’s plenary session at the National Assembly Complex.

Presenting the report, Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, stressed the importance of imposing stricter penalties to combat illegal drug activities. The amended Act explicitly prescribes, “Any person who unlawfully engages in the storage, custody, movement, carriage or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and, while doing so, is armed with an offensive weapon or disguised in any manner, commits an offence under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment.”

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presided over the session, where senators approved the amendment through a voice vote, marking a robust stance against drug trafficking and related crimes.

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In addition to the NDLEA amendment, the Senate also passed the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Bill, 2024. This proposed legislation replaces the outdated RMAFC Act of 2004, aiming to reform the commission’s structure and operational framework.

Strengthening Governance Through Resource Allocation

The RMAFC Bill seeks to address challenges tied to Nigeria’s dwindling revenue and rising population. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, highlighted the need for reform, stating, “The Act, last revised over 20 years ago, no longer reflects Nigeria’s evolving economic realities. This bill proposes additional funding and a restructured operational framework for the commission to improve its efficiency.”

The reform includes enhanced funding mechanisms to enable RMAFC to equitably distribute resources among federal, state, and local governments, addressing critical developmental needs. Senators unanimously endorsed the bill after thorough deliberations, paving the way for its submission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.