AN EXAMINATION OF THE LAW OF DRUG OFFENCES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Drug abuse and offences represent a pressing concern in Nigeria, encompassing a wide spectrum of illicit activities related to controlled substances. These activities involve the production, trafficking, possession, and consumption of drugs, as well as ancillary acts such as cultivation, manufacture, and transportation of illicit substances. The prevalence of drug abuse and illicit drug trade has detrimental consequences for public health, social stability, and economic development. The researchers believe that by understanding the intricacies of drug offences, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary can better tackle the challenges posed by drug abuse and illicit drug trade. It is against the foregoing background that this paper examines the legal regime for drug offences in Nigeria. To achieve this, this work employed the doctrinal method of study, adopting the analytical as well as the interpretative approaches in analyzing the resource materials collected for this study which include statues, books, journal articles as well as internet publications. The study found, among other things, that the machineries for implementation of the laws providing for the prevention and protection of drug-related offences in Nigeria are not adequate. In response, the work therefore recommends the provision of adequate machineries for the enforcement of those laws through improved funding of the necessary agencies.