President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declined assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025, stirring nationwide conversations.
The decision, revealed by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Thursday’s House of Representatives plenary, stems from concerns that the proposed law contradicts existing financial protocols. The bill aimed to allow the NDLEA retain part of proceeds from drug-related crimes — a clause Tinubu rejected outright.
In his explanation, President Tinubu emphasized that under Nigeria’s current framework, all crime proceeds must be deposited into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account. He added that any disbursement to agencies like the NDLEA requires presidential approval, backed by the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly consent.
The move has sparked mixed reactions online as many debate financial transparency, agency autonomy, and executive power.
