The number of Nigerians incarcerated in Thailand for drug trafficking has seen a remarkable decline of 75 per cent, according to figures provided by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Quoting Kriwat Pharmorabuta, Charge d’affaires/Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Thai Embassy in Nigeria, a statement from Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, revealed that the number of Nigerian prisoners in Thai jails has dwindled from 800 to 200 over the past three years, indicating a significant reduction in drug-related offenses.

Pharmorabuta, during a visit to NDLEA’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (Retd), commended Nigeria’s efforts in combating substance abuse and illicit drug trade, noting the positive impact on the country’s international reputation.

Expressing his satisfaction with the decline in Nigerian inmates, Pharmorabuta emphasised the importance of NDLEA’s certificate in visa processing for Nigerians traveling to Thailand. He underscored the embassy’s reliance on NDLEA’s thorough screening process for visa clearance, ensuring a safer travel environment.

Marwa, acknowledging the ongoing collaboration, expressed gratitude for Thailand’s support in visa clearance and indicated interest in further cooperation, particularly in training and scholarships for NDLEA personnel.

He highlighted the need for expertise from Thailand in alternative development strategies, aiming to steer individuals away from illicit activities towards sustainable livelihoods.

In a bid to address mounting challenges including insecurity, rural-urban migration, decaying infrastructure, and widespread unemployment, the Senate has called upon President Bola Tinubu to spearhead advocacy efforts for the full autonomy of local governments across Nigeria.

The upper chamber emphasised the urgency of the matter, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to mitigate the prevailing issues.

It urged the president to initiate a comprehensive national dialogue involving key stakeholders such as governors, state legislators, local government officials, civil society organisations, and community leaders.

The aim is to devise a strategic roadmap towards achieving full autonomy for local governments.

Lawmakers, echoing widespread sentiments, underscored the critical nature of reforming the local government system, which they described as the most abused.

They emphasised the necessity of amending the 1999 constitution to facilitate the desired independence.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, lamented the prevalence of caretaker committees in over 17 states, which, he argued, has led to administrative gridlock within the local government setup.

Moro stressed the imperative of launching thorough investigations into systemic abuses to ensure accountability.

Adding his voice to the discourse, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Anambra South revealed alarming statistics regarding local government elections in his state.

He disclosed that Anambra has not conducted such elections in the past 18 years, citing the non-implementation of the 1999 framework as a major hindrance to local government autonomy.

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

The historic decision came as the Senate passed the 2024 NDLEA Act (Amendment) Bill through its third reading.

The proposal gained traction on Thursday as the Senate delved into a meticulous clause-by-clause examination of the report presented by Senator Tahir Munguno, Chairman of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, and Drugs & Narcotics National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

During the review of the penalty provisions aimed at bolstering the agency’s operations, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, the Senate Chief Whip, proposed an amendment to elevate the punishment for drug traffickers from a life sentence to death under clause 11.

Initially met with dissenting voices, the proposal faced a moment of contention during the voting process. Despite an initial indication of disapproval, a subsequent vote favoured the adoption of the amendment, prompting a heated reaction from some lawmakers.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole was among those who voiced dissatisfaction with what he deemed a rushed consideration and passage of the amended clause.

However, the Deputy Senate President rebuffed attempts to reverse the ruling, citing procedural grounds.

In a parallel effort, the Senate also embarked on a comprehensive review of the salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria.

The move, aimed at combating bribery and corruption while safeguarding the judiciary’s independence, saw the executive bill seeking to prescribe remuneration levels for judicial office holders at both federal and state levels advance to the second reading.

While the bill garnered unanimous support, calls were made for a broader review of salaries and remuneration across various sectors in light of prevailing economic challenges.

Consequently, the bill was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further scrutiny, with a mandate to report back within four weeks.