President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially withheld assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025, igniting debate across the nation’s legal and anti-narcotics circles.
The President’s rejection of the bill—already passed by both chambers of the National Assembly—was disclosed during Thursday’s plenary session in the House of Representatives. A letter conveying Tinubu’s decision was read aloud in the Green Chamber, drawing sharp attention from lawmakers.
Citing the powers vested in him under Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), President Tinubu explained that his primary objection lies in a contentious clause that would have granted the NDLEA the authority to retain a portion of proceeds recovered from drug-related crimes. He described this provision as a fundamental breach of existing financial and accountability frameworks.
According to the President, the nation’s fiscal system currently mandates that all proceeds from criminal activity be deposited into the government’s Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account. From this pool, disbursements to recovery or enforcement agencies—such as the NDLEA—can only be made through express presidential approval, and with the consent of both the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
“There is no compelling justification to disrupt a system that is purposefully structured to ensure transparency, accountability, and oversight,” Tinubu emphasized in the letter.
This development has stirred significant reaction among anti-drug advocates and legal analysts, with some viewing the rejected clause as a pathway to financial independence for the NDLEA, while others back the President’s stance as a necessary check against potential misuse and financial irregularities.
The bill, which sought to overhaul the NDLEA Act, had proposed stronger powers for the agency in its fight against drug trafficking and related crimes. However, Tinubu’s rejection signals a firm message on the need for compliance with national financial management principles, even in the pursuit of justice.
As stakeholders await the next move from the National Assembly—either to amend the bill or attempt an override—the fate of the much-anticipated NDLEA reform hangs in the balance.
More details to follow…
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