NDLEA Act amendment to boost Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts – Fagbemi, Marwa

The federal government has said the recent amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act by the National Assembly will bolster Nigeria’s drug control efforts when eventually signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the […]

The federal government has said the recent amendment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act by the National Assembly will bolster Nigeria’s drug control efforts when eventually signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said this on Wednesday in Abuja.

The duo spoke during the opening of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting.

“In the past four years, we have witnessed unprecedented efforts by the NDLEA. These achievements include arrests and seizures, convictions, elaborate evidence-based drug demand reduction interventions, using the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy platform to sensitize communities on the dangers of drug abuse.

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“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.

“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 represented by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, stated.

Speaking earlier, Marwa said despite the funding challenges that affected the full implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021–2025), the agency remained undeterred in the pursuit of its goal.

“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.

“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,” he said.

While charging all stakeholders to redouble their efforts, the NDLEA boss said, “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.”

Also speaking at the event, UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by Dr Akani Ibanga said Nigeria stands at the crossroads of public health and security sector when it comes to the drug response.