Tinubu Rejects NDLEA Amendment Bill, Cites Constitutional Breach and Transparency Risks

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declined to sign the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Amendment Bill, 2025, into law, raising major concerns over constitutional violations and the risk of financial mismanagement. The decision was formally communicated in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary session at the House of Representatives.

The controversial bill, passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, proposed granting the NDLEA the power to retain a portion of funds recovered from drug-related crimes. Lawmakers argued this would enhance the agency’s efficiency by reducing its dependence on federal allocations and enabling quicker access to operational resources. But President Tinubu rejected the proposal, stating it violates provisions of the 1999 Constitution, specifically Section 58(4), which gives the President authority to withhold assent if a bill conflicts with existing laws.

Tinubu explained that allowing the NDLEA to directly manage seized proceeds contradicts established financial regulations that require all public funds—including criminal proceeds—to be deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. According to the President, bypassing this process would weaken oversight and accountability mechanisms designed to prevent corruption in public service.

The bill’s rejection has triggered strong reactions across Nigeria’s political and civic spaces. Supporters of the bill argue that enabling the NDLEA to retain part of the recovered funds would drastically improve its capacity to combat drug trafficking, accelerate response times, and empower the agency to be more self-sufficient in operations. They point to delays in government budget releases and chronic underfunding that have long hindered Nigeria’s drug enforcement efforts.

However, critics have praised the President’s decision, warning that the bill could open the door to unchecked spending, abuse of power, and institutional corruption. Many argue that while operational efficiency is important, it must not come at the cost of transparency and adherence to constitutional safeguards.

At the centre of the debate is the balance between empowering security institutions and ensuring they remain subject to democratic oversight. Tinubu’s refusal to sign the bill signals a firm stance on maintaining fiscal discipline and constitutional order, even as pressure mounts to boost security agency performance amid growing drug-related crimes in the country.

With the bill now stalled, the National Assembly may consider revising its provisions or attempting to override the President’s veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers—a rare but constitutionally permitted move.

As the conversation continues, Tinubu’s decision underscores a critical question: How can Nigeria strengthen its law enforcement institutions without undermining the legal frameworks that protect public accountability?

The fate of the NDLEA Amendment Bill, 2025, will be a key test of that balance.