By Charles Maduka
President Bola Tinubu has declined assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Bill, 2025, citing concerns over a provision allowing the agency to retain a portion of funds recovered from drug-related crimes.
The decision was conveyed in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary session in the House of Representatives. Quoting Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the President stated that the clause conflicts with established financial procedures.
According to him, all crime proceeds are meant to be paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account managed by the government. He added that any disbursement to agencies like the NDLEA must be approved by the President and endorsed by both the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
President Tinubu emphasized that there was no justification to disrupt a framework designed to promote transparency and maintain both executive and legislative checks.
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