President Bola Tinubu has declined to sign the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill, 2025, into law. The bill, which was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, sought to empower the NDLEA to retain a portion of the proceeds from drug-related crimes. However, the President’s decision, communicated in a letter read during plenary in the Senate, cites constitutional and financial regulatory concerns under Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the President, the bill contradicts existing financial regulations because all proceeds from crime are currently required to be paid into the government’s Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account. Disbursements to recovery agencies, including the NDLEA, must be authorized by presidential approval and require the consent of both the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.
The President emphasized that there is no compelling reason to alter this process, which ensures accountability through executive and legislative oversight. This move sets the stage for the National Assembly to reconsider the bill, either by amending it to address the President’s concerns or attempting to override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, okay.ng reports.
