Tinubu Rejects NDLEA Amendment Bill Over Transparency, Constitutional Concerns

President Bola Tinubu has withheld assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill 2025, citing constitutional issues and concerns over transparency in the management of proceeds from crime.

In a letter to the House of Representatives read during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Tinubu invoked Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the president to reject legislation passed by the National Assembly.

The president specifically objected to a provision in the bill that would allow the NDLEA to retain a portion of proceeds recovered from drug-related crimes, stating it contradicts existing laws governing the handling of such funds.

“The rationale for my decision is that the bill seeks to give the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency power to retain a portion of the proceeds of drug-related crime,” Tinubu wrote.

He explained that current law mandates all proceeds of crime be paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account, with any disbursement to agencies requiring presidential approval as well as endorsement from the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly.

“There is no compelling reason to change the current process, which promotes transparency, as it involves executive and legislative oversight,” the letter added.

The rejected bill had been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and was intended to strengthen the NDLEA’s operational autonomy and financial capacity.