WAR AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS: NDLEA WANTS EXPULSION OF FINE OPTION FROM ACT
Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Brig. Gen. MB Marwa (Rtd) has said that the removal of the clause that allows for the option of fine for drug offenders from the Agency’s Act, currently undergoing amendment in the National Assembly will drastically reduce the drug menace in the country.
Gen. Marwa stated this today while defending the 2022 NDLEA budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, chaired by Senator Hezekiah Dimka.
He said though he had visited the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho on the issue. He said the removal of the clause that allows Judges use discretionary powers to give options of fines to convicts would resolve the narcotic jigsaw.
Defending the N38.1billion 2022 budget proposal, Gen. Marwa said while the allocation may not solve all the problems facing the Agency, he believes it is a great improvement on the previous budgets.
“And as such, we want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari, the Finance Minister, Attorney General and Minister of Justice and more importantly, the leadership of the National Assembly and this esteemed Committee on Drugs and Narcotics for giving us all the support we need to make the progress being talked about today”, he said.
In his opening speech, Chairman, House Committee on narcotics, Senator Hezekiah Dimka congratulated Gen. Marwa “For the successes recorded by the Agency since his assumption of office."
“There is no doubt that his approach and manner of operations to the fight against drug trafficking and abuse on our shores is extraordinary", he added.
Other members of the committee, like the Vice Chairman, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani also expressed satisfaction and support for the good work the Agency in the drug war.
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