Minister of Justice Seeks Community Hard Labour for Drug Offenders

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Minister of attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called for the introduction of community-based hard labour sentences for convicted drug offenders as part of efforts to deter illicit drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.

Speaking at an event hosted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday in Abuja, the minister said it is time to consider sentencing convicts to perform hard labour in their local communities or villages.

“When a convict is sentenced, I think we should also press that he should be taken to his local government or even his village. When you see somebody who has been riding illegal horse race and you ask him to pick papers or wash toilets, that may also be a deterrent,” the minister stated.

He argued that such measures would serve as a visible warning to others and help curb the  rising trend of drug-related crimes, which he linked to other forms of criminality across the country.

The minister praised President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the NDLEA leadership for their commitment to the anti-drug fight, stressing that illicit drugs “embolden criminals” and that law enforcement must stay several steps ahead of offenders.

Highlighting the need for adequate resources, he commended recent provisions of operational vehicles and the commissioning of NDLEA staff quarters in Yola, saying these would boost the morale of officers and enhance their effectiveness.

“The criminals are not happy, but we are not to make them happy. They will continue to be sad,” he added.

The event also touched on road infrastructure challenges affecting NDLEA operations, with assurances from the National Security Adviser and the minister to seek swift government intervention.