NDLEA act amendment will enhance fight against drug trafficking, says Fagbemi

Lateef Fagbemi, minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, says the amended National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, recently passed by the national assembly will significantly enhance Nigeria’s drug control mechanisms once signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

Fagbemi spoke on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the inter-ministerial committee on drug control meeting in Abuja.

In November 2024, the senate amended the NDLEA Act to accommodate life imprisonment for persons found guilty of storing, moving, or concealing hard drugs and other illicit substances.

Represented by Mohammed Abubakar, director of public prosecution of the federation, the attorney-general commended the NDLEA’s achievements over the past four years, saying unprecedented efforts by the agency have been witnessed. 

He said these achievements include arrests and seizures, convictions, elaborate evidence-based drug demand reduction interventions, and using the war against drug abuse (WADA) social advocacy platform to sensitize communities on the dangers of drug abuse.

“Consistent gains have been recorded within the global space, by fostering international cooperation and building strong partnerships. NDLEA has sustained the fight with renewed energy and vigour, giving hope to the once hopeless situation,” he said.

“The federal ministry of justice has worked together with the NDLEA to ensure that our national legal system effectively supports the drug control efforts of the agency. We are at the last lap of finalizing the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which will significantly enhance the organizational capability of the agency to control the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

“The ministry is also providing appropriate support in the area of proceeds of crime management, essential to dismantling the financial networks of drug traffickers.”

Fagbemi acknowledged the contributions of other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders and said the inter-ministerial committee has been crucial in coordinating a whole-of-government approach to this top burner issue.

“By bringing together critical stakeholders, we have been able to develop and implement more comprehensive and balanced strategies, applying the collaborative spirit which the NDCMP promotes,” he added.

In his welcome remarks, Buba Marwa, the NDLEA chairman, said despite funding constraints, the NDLEA remains committed to its mission:

“Instead, we stay resolute, drawing strength from our shared vision, commitment, and collective responsibility to overcome this limitation. Encouragingly, certain developments promise to bolster the achievement of our objectives,” he said.

“One such step is the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which is expected to significantly strengthen the Agency’s institutional capacity in drug supply reduction.

“I am pleased to inform this esteemed assembly that the Amended Act has been passed by the National Assembly and is currently awaiting Presidential assent.

“I urge us all to renew our energy and resolve to deliver the impact and value needed to confront Nigeria’s evolving and multifaceted drug challenges. Let us bring our voices, passion, and optimism to bear in our deliberations. May we remain open and forthright in pursuit of our shared goal: the enhancement of health and security for all residents of Nigeria, in line with the aspirations of the NDCMP 2021–2025.”