Abuja, Nigeria –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially withheld assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025, citing concerns over a controversial clause regarding the retention of proceeds from drug-related crimes.
The President’s decision was conveyed in a formal letter read on the floor of the House of Representatives during Thursday’s plenary session.
- Quoting Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu emphasized that the proposed legislation conflicts with Nigeria’s financial and accountability frameworks.
⚖ Tinubu Opposes Clause on Retaining Crime Proceeds
According to the President, the bill sought to grant the NDLEA powers to retain part of the funds and assets seized from drug offenders. He argued that this contradicts the existing protocol, which mandates that:
- “All proceeds of crime are paid into the government’s Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account. Disbursements to any recovery agency, including the NDLEA, can only be made by presidential approval, subject to the consent of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.”
Tinubu stressed that the current system promotes transparency and accountability, which could be compromised if individual agencies are permitted to retain funds from criminal activities.
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🛑 No Justification for Changing Financial Oversight
The President concluded that no compelling justification exists for modifying a system that ensures rigorous executive and legislative oversight.
“The process is designed to safeguard public resources and maintain institutional accountability. Any alteration without a broader policy review could create room for abuse,” the letter read.
📌 Background
The NDLEA Bill, 2025, had been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and was awaiting presidential assent. The bill aimed to strengthen the agency’s operational autonomy, including provisions for funding reforms.
With Tinubu’s rejection, lawmakers may now consider amending the bill or overriding the decision with a two-thirds majority, under constitutional provisions.
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