President Bola Tinubu has withheld assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025, citing concerns over a controversial clause allowing the agency to retain proceeds from drug-related crimes.
The President’s decision was communicated in a letter read aloud during Thursday’s plenary session in the House of Representatives.
Referencing Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu said the provision in the bill that empowers the NDLEA to keep a share of seized assets from drug crimes contradicts existing financial protocols.
“All proceeds of crime are currently paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account. Disbursements to any recovery agency, including the NDLEA, must be approved by the President with the consent of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly,” the President explained.
He stressed that the existing system ensures accountability and oversight and said there is no justification to alter a process that already involves both executive and legislative scrutiny.
The rejected bill had been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and aimed to strengthen the operational and financial autonomy of the NDLEA. However, the controversial clause on asset retention ultimately led to its rejection by the Presidency.
