N35bn Property Seizures: Reps To Probe Activities Of NDLEA

The House of Representatives has ordered investigation into the activities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from year 2000 to date vis-a-vis the seizures and disposal and drugs, assets and properties of drug offenders.

The House also urge the NDLEA to stop further destruction of seized drugs and the impending auction of the seized assets and properties of drug offenders pending the conclusion of investigation by the Standing Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, which is expected to report back within six weeks for further legislative action.

The resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion tagged “Need to Investigate the Activities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from 2000 to Date” sponsored by Hon. Muhammadu Musa Soba at plenary yesterday.

Soba noted that the NDLEA was established in 1989 to eradicate the cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs and to investigate persons suspected to have dealings in drugs and to dispose of assets and properties of drug offenders.

The House said that over the years, there have been allegations of wrongdoings levelled against the agency, including connivance with drug cartels leading to the release of hundreds of drug suspects, along with their assets through an auction process that is susceptible to manipulation, and dubious remittances to the Federation Account.

It expressed worry that the NDLEA, since inception and particularly in the last 10 years, has not given adequate account of seized drugs, assets and properties of drug offenders, which total value is put at about N35 billion.

—Leadershipng