Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to sign the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025, into law earlier today.
Tinubu’s decision not to sign the bill initially passed by both chambers of the National Assembly (Senate and Reps) was contained in a letter read in the Green Chamber on Thursday morning during plenary.
The President, citing Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),maintained that the proposed law seeks to empower the NDLEA to retain or keep a portion of the proceeds from drug-related crimes, a move he said contradicts existing financial regulations.
The rejection was due to concerns over transparency and potential misappropriation, as the bill bypassed established legal protocols. Supporters argue it could boost NDLEA efficiency, while critics highlight risks of corruption and constitutional violations.
Jkcynonews went further to investigate the pros and cons of this rejected NDLEA bill.
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The NDLEA Amendment Bill, 2025, aimed to let Nigeria’s anti-drug agency keep part of seized drug proceeds. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
1. It tends to boosts efficiency by funding operations directly, avoiding budget delays if passed.
2. It’d incentivize more seizures, potentially disrupting drug networks cartels.
3. This bill would reduce bureaucratic hurdles for faster responses from the agency.
Cons:
1. This bill Violates Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution, risking legal issues if passed.
2. It Increases corruption risks by bypassing centralized oversight.
3. It Lacks strong justification, as current systems allow fund access with oversight.
The bill offers operational benefits but raises serious transparency and legal concerns which is one of the major reason Tinubu may have rejected its assent.