Pardoning drug traffickers in Nigeria: A national disgrace?

Pardoning drug traffickers in Nigeria: A national disgrace?

In Nigeria, a controversial decision by President Bola Tinubu is causing massive criticism. He pardoned 175 convicted criminals, including 52 drug traffickers. This action has caused a stir both nationally and internationally and is described by many as a “national disgrace”. The opposition and civil society in particular are making harsh accusations against the government, while many members of the government also have concerns. Those pardoned include not only drug traffickers, but also some people convicted of serious crimes such as murder, fraud and kidnapping, including the most famous of them, Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for murder before her sentence was commuted.

Around a third of those pardoned were drug traffickers, many of whom had only served two years of their original life sentence. This comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a serious drug crisis, which in numbers has a consumption rate of 14.4% - almost three times the global average of 5.5%. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the decision as “shocking and indefensible” while the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been fighting drug cartels for years and sees the pardon as a devaluation of its efforts.

International concerns and local challenges

International partners express concern that Nigeria could be perceived as a lenient jurisdiction towards drug traffickers. This could not only undermine confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, but also defy the efforts of the NDLEA. Josef Onoh, an adviser to the president, has also called for the pardons to be revoked. So far there has been no response from President Tinubu as the controversies come in a context of increasing insecurity, banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.

Nigeria's drug crisis has deeper roots and is leading to a rise in violence. Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji highlights that drug abuse is a major cause of social disruption. Despite stricter laws, it is not possible to improve the situation; drug use among young people is alarming. A 2018 UNODC report shows that one in seven Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs. The situation is particularly bad in urban centers, where gangs and drug cartels use intimidation and violence to secure their market position.

A look at the future

The ongoing drug problem leads to social decline and is a trigger for further crimes such as theft and prostitution. The public discourse about drug crime and how to combat it is characterized by different views: While some see tightening laws, such as the introduction of the death penalty for drug traffickers, as necessary, human rights activists criticize these approaches as excessive and inhumane. Currently, the legislation already provides for life sentences for serious drug offenses.

Archbishop Ugorji calls for a rethink and an active contribution from the community to counteract the moral decay in Nigeria. It remains to be seen how the government responds to the ongoing criticism and whether measures will be taken to address this burning social crisis.

In this tense environment, there is hope for a real turnaround in Nigeria's drug policy and security situation, although the challenges are enormous and require comprehensive transformation.

The situation remains tense and it is clear that the president's upcoming decisions are of great importance in combating the drug crisis. Nigerian society faces an uncertain but hopeful future as it emerges from the crisis.