President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined assent to the newly proposed National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, citing concerns over provisions that conflict with Nigeria’s existing financial regulations.
A key reason for the decision, according to sources familiar with the President’s position, is the bill’s proposal to empower the NDLEA to retain a portion of proceeds recovered from drug-related offences. President Tinubu argued that such a provision runs contrary to extant laws governing the management and remittance of public funds in Nigeria.
Under current financial laws, all revenues generated by government agencies, including recovered funds, are required to be remitted in full to the Federation Account or the Consolidated Revenue Fund, depending on the nature of the agency. The President emphasized that allowing the NDLEA to retain any share of recovered proceeds would not only create potential avenues for abuse but also weaken the framework for accountability and transparency in public finance management.
While acknowledging the vital role the NDLEA plays in combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse, the President stressed the need for strict adherence to due process and statutory financial protocols, even in the pursuit of national security and public health objectives.
The bill, which had passed both chambers of the National Assembly, will now likely be returned for legislative reconsideration, with amendments expected to address the financial provisions in question.
This decision underscores the Tinubu administration’s stated commitment to institutional reforms, transparency, and fiscal discipline across all arms of government.
