That Probe Of NDLEA Over Drug Convicts

The House of Representatives last week, had cause to order an investigation into the activities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from its inception to date. The decision followed revelation that 197 persons convicted of drug-related offences by various courts were not serving their prison terms.

For that reason, the House mandated its three Committees on Justice, Interior and Drug, Narcotics and Financial Crimes to unravel circumstances responsible for such miscarriage of justice, if found to be true. We pray that it turns out to be untrue.

For years now, abuse of prison regulations by supposed inmates has made the rounds. In fact, that some wealthy prisoners paid their way out of disciplinary measures put in place by prisons authorities in Nigeria became so rife that the citizenry began losing fate in criminal prosecution in the land.

But never has it been heard that as many as 197 convicts were not serving their prescribed terms in prison after judgment by courts of competent jurisdiction. And to hear that such convicts were prosecuted by the NDLEA for drug-related offences is not only worrisome but very shameful.

The effect of narcotics and hard drugs on the citizenry, particularly the youth, can hardly be over-emphasised in view of their destructive nature. It was in appreciation of the same that government established the NDLEA, to among other things, check the production, marketing and consumption of hard drugs and also put away from the public those who may wish to tempt the will of government in its war against drug trafficking and consumption.

This is indeed why it is unacceptable that persons legally tried and convicted for some offences, indeed paid their way out of prison with or without the knowledge and connivance of officials of the NDLEA. The drug convicts as observed by the House, were not known to have shot their way out of any prison. Instead, there are indications that they were not in any Nigerian prison in the first place, where they ought to be serving their prescribed jail terms.

The Tide commends the House of Representatives for its vigilance and for summoning the required political will to order such probe, particularly, for the fact that nothing was done of the Justice Gilbert Obyan’s committee report which first raised the alarm. For if left unsubstantiated, the issue could contribute to further lack of faith in the judiciary.

Already, recent happenings in the dispensation of justice in the land has created the impression that justice is for the highest bidder and that the rich are indeed above the law. Therefore, to allow drug-convicts to stay out of prison for whatever reason, is surely, an invitation to anarchy and abuse of judicial process which Nigeria can ill-afford.

This is why The Tide considers the alleged act of prisoner’s protection from prison by those who should put them away as most condemnable and should be treated as such. The House Committees charged with the responsibility should appreciate the seriousness of the assignment and do the job with diligence with a view to restoring public faith in the rule of law and indeed the judiciay.

In fact, the House should go beyond mere investigation and to consider prosecution of all those found culpable in the acts of shame.

More importantly, Nigerians expect such a probe to be transparent, so as to bring to public glare identity of affected drug barons now known to have walked away free, after conviction by various courts, and their conniving public officials while petty thieves and wonderers spend years in jail, awaiting trial.

The NDLEA must, on its part, undertake an urgent and thorough in-house probe of its ranks with a view to fishing out bad eggs responsible for the shielding of convicted drug barons, just as we expect the nation’s prison authorities to do same.

A situation whereby legally sentenced prisoners walk about freely is not just a direct invitation to anarchy which must be prevented, but indeed a sure means of undermining efforts towards achieving a drug-free society. Now, not later is the time to prevent such narcotic degeneration.