President Tinubu Declines Signing Into Law NDLEA Amendment Bill Over Transparency Concerns.
President Bola Tinubu has withheld his assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing concerns over its provisions and their incompatibility with Nigeria’s existing legal framework. The decision was announced in a letter read during the House of Representatives plenary session on Thursday by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The bill, recently passed by the National Assembly, proposed granting the NDLEA the authority to retain a portion of proceeds from drug-related crimes, a move that Tinubu argued would contravene established financial regulations. Invoking Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the President stated that the proposed legislation would undermine the current legal requirement for all proceeds from criminal activities to be deposited into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account.
In his communication to the National Assembly, Tinubu emphasised the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in the management of recovered assets. “Under the existing law, all proceeds from crime must be deposited into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account. Any disbursement to relevant agencies, including the NDLEA, requires presidential approval and the consent of both the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly,” he explained. He added that there was “no compelling reason” to alter the current process, which ensures oversight by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
The NDLEA, established under Decree No. 48 of 1989, is tasked with combating the production, trafficking, and consumption of illicit drugs in Nigeria. The agency has been a key player in the fight against drug-related crimes, with significant seizures reported in recent years, including 7.6 million kilogrammes of illicit substances and the arrest of over 52,900 suspected traffickers in the past three and a half years.
Tinubu’s decision has sparked varied reactions. Supporters of the move argue that it reinforces financial discipline and prevents potential misuse of funds, while critics of the veto suggest the bill could have provided the NDLEA with additional resources to bolster its operations. The President’s rejection now places the ball in the National Assembly’s court, which may choose to revise the bill to address his concerns or attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
This development comes amidst Tinubu’s broader commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking. In previous statements, the President has called for innovative approaches to tackle the menace, pledging continued support for the agency’s mandate.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of illicit drug trade, Tinubu’s decision underscores the delicate balance between empowering law enforcement agencies and upholding constitutional and financial integrity. The National Assembly’s next steps will be closely watched as stakeholders await further developments on this critical issue.
