A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Magaji Mato, has opposed calls for extra-judicial punishment in the fight against illicit drugs, arguing that such measures could cause more harm than the problem they seek to address.
In an interview with The News Chronicle, Mato said the fight against illicit drugs must continue because of the devastating impact of substance abuse, particularly on young Nigerians, but insisted that enforcement agencies must operate within the law.
“When you advocate going beyond the provisions of the law to carry out some actions that probably would cause more harm than the repair of the evil that you think you are trying to stamp out in society, then I think we have to put a halt here and look at the issue holistically,” he said.
He called for the strengthening of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and an amendment of its enabling law to introduce tougher sanctions that would make illicit drug trafficking less profitable.
According to Mato, the NDLEA should identify gaps in the existing law and propose amendments to the National Assembly based on its operational experience.
He also stressed that the confiscation of assets, freezing of bank accounts and other punitive measures are judicial functions that must be carried out through the courts.
“The power to punish, the power to convict, all lies in the court,” he said.
Mato urged the National Assembly to consider amendments that would empower the NDLEA to seek court orders the confiscate or freeze assets linked to illicit drug activities.
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He said proceeds recovered from such criminal activities could, upon due legal process, be returned to government and used for the benefit of the public.
Mato maintained that strengthening institutions and the legal framework, rather than abandoning due process, remains the sustainable way to combat illicit drugs in Nigeria.
