President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withheld assent to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025, raising concerns over proposed provisions that would allow the anti-narcotics agency to directly retain proceeds from drug-related crimes.

The President’s decision was communicated in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary session of the House of Representatives, in accordance with Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Tinubu stated that while the intent of the bill—passed by both chambers of the National Assembly—is commendable, its provisions conflict with established financial management frameworks. He specifically opposed the clause that seeks to empower the NDLEA to retain a portion of recovered proceeds.

“Under current regulations, all proceeds of crime are paid into the government’s Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account,” the President explained. “Disbursements to any recovery agency, including the NDLEA, can only be made with presidential approval, subject to the consent of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.”

The President emphasized that the existing system ensures transparency and accountability through multiple layers of oversight, and he saw no justification for altering a structure that reinforces fiscal discipline.

The NDLEA Bill, 2025 was designed to strengthen the agency’s financial autonomy and operational capacity, but the proposed revenue retention framework sparked debate among legal and policy analysts concerned about potential misuse and erosion of central oversight.

The National Assembly is expected to review the President’s objections in the coming weeks, with the possibility of amending the bill to align with constitutional and financial guidelines.

More details to follow.