In a significant development from the legislative arm of Nigeria’s government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially withheld his assent from the recently proposed NDLEA Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed by the National Assembly earlier this year. The proposed legislation sought to grant the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) the authority to retain a percentage of financial proceeds derived from drug-related crimes. This provision, however, appears to conflict with Nigeria’s current legal framework governing the management of confiscated assets. This decision was formally conveyed to members of the House of Representatives during Thursday’s plenary session, as read aloud by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. Tinubu’s Constitutional Reference President Tinubu, referencing Section 58, Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, explained that approving such a bill would amount to violating existing constitutional provisions. The President emphasized that all proceeds derived from illicit activities or crimes, including drug trafficking, must be fully deposited into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account as stipulated by existing laws. Executive Oversight on Disbursements According to Tinubu’s explanation, no agency—including the NDLEA—can independently retain funds from crime-related proceeds. Instead, disbursement of such funds must be conducted through the direct approval of the President, and only with the express consent of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to legal due process, particularly in matters involving financial forfeitures and asset recovery.
President Bola Tinubu is set to present the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s fiscal planning. Key Details of the Budget Presentation Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed during Thursday’s plenary that the presentation will take place in the House of Representatives chamber. Earlier, the Federal Government proposed a total expenditure of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, as announced on November 14. Subsequently, President Tinubu submitted the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) for 2025–2027 to both chambers of the National Assembly on November 19. The MTEF/FSP outlines the parameters for the nation’s budget and provides a projection for government spending over three years. On December 3, the Senate approved these documents, paving the way for the budget’s consideration. Highlights of the 2025 MTEF/FSP This comprehensive framework reflects the Federal Government’s approach to addressing economic challenges and driving growth through strategic fiscal policies. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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In a decisive move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking, the National Assembly has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to include life imprisonment for offenders involved in the storage, transportation, or concealment of hard drugs and other illicit substances. This amendment was finalized on Thursday during a plenary session of the Senate, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The session garnered overwhelming support from lawmakers for the revised penalties. Harmonizing the Amendments The amendment stemmed from a recommendation by a conference committee comprising members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Initially, the House of Representatives proposed life imprisonment as the penalty for drug traffickers, while the Senate’s version of the amendment sought to impose the death penalty. The two chambers established a conference committee to harmonize the differences, resulting in the adoption of the House’s recommendation. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Tahir Monguno, presented the committee’s findings during the plenary. He highlighted that enforcing the death penalty could lead to the execution of over 900 individuals currently awaiting trial for drug-related offenses. This concern led to the preference for life imprisonment over capital punishment. Addressing Drug-Related Challenges During the session, Monguno urged his fellow lawmakers to support the revised penalty, emphasizing its potential to deter drug trafficking and reduce the harmful impact of illicit substances on Nigerian society. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin subsequently put the resolution to a voice vote, which saw majority support from senators, solidifying its adoption. Driving Credible Journalism The ongoing reforms underscore the government’s commitment to tackling drug-related crimes while fostering national security and public health. READ ALSO:
