The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has sold off properties forfeited by drug traffickers across the country, including in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun States, during an auction exercise at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the auction involved eight forfeited properties and two of the houses located in Lekki and Ikorodu areas of Lagos were stepped down from the process due to notices of appeal received after the processes had begun.
Babafemi noted that the six other properties were auctioned to pre-qualified bidders, with only two sold at over ₦139 million following successful bids above their reserved prices, while others either failed to receive any bids or attracted offers below the benchmark.
He affirmed that the exercise included pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organisations, the media, and other government agencies.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, who was represented by the Agency Secretary, Mr. Shadrack Haruna, said that the exercise forms part of the Agency’s strategic efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks by depriving offenders of both liberty and illicit wealth, in strict compliance with legal frameworks and due process.
Haruna reiterated the Agency’s resolve to pursue drug offenders not only through prosecution but also by targeting all assets acquired through the proceeds of crime.
“This auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice. Beyond prosecuting drug offenders, we are committed to ensuring that the financial incentives that drive these crimes are neutralized through legal forfeiture. This serves as both punishment and deterrence. When drug traffickers know they stand to lose everything, including their ill-gotten assets, it sends a stronger message than imprisonment alone,” he remarked.
On his part, Umar Yakubu of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch commended the NDLEA for conducting a process that was open, credible, and compliant with international best practices.
Yakubu stated that the level of transparency observed was commendable and reflective of a strong institutional culture that prioritises public accountability.
He further encouraged the Agency to amplify such efforts as a public education tool to highlight the consequences of drug crimes.
In his remarks, Director, Proceeds of Crime Management at NDLEA, Jerry Iorwa Aernan, disclosed that participating auctioneers were pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and had met the required integrity checks to ensure that disposed assets are not returned to original owners through the back door.
Iorwa emphasised that successful bidders must pay 10 percent of their bid value within 14 days to confirm their interest, while the full payment is expected within a stipulated timeframe.
