President Bola Tinubu has rejected the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill, 2025, recently passed by the National Assembly, citing constitutional violations and concerns over accountability in asset management.
In a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary, President Tinubu invoked Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution as the basis for his decision.
The President objected to a key provision in the bill that seeks to allow the NDLEA retain a portion of proceeds from drug-related crimes. He stated this contradicts the current legal framework, which mandates that all criminal proceeds be deposited into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account.
Tinubu further clarified that any distribution of such funds to agencies must be sanctioned by the President and approved by both the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
He stressed that the existing process promotes transparency and accountability and asserted that there is no compelling reason to amend it.
The President’s decision is expected to spark debate within the legislative and anti-narcotics communities as discussions continue on reforming Nigeria’s drug enforcement strategies.
