NDLEA AUCTIONS FORFEITED PROPERTIES OF CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS ACROSS FOUR STATES
Read Time:1 Minute, 44 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday conducted a public auction of six properties forfeited by convicted drug traffickers in a strategic move aimed at dismantling illicit drug networks and stripping offenders of their criminal assets.
The auction, held at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja, featured properties located in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun States. The NDLEA said the assets were either acquired with drug proceeds or used in the commission of drug-related crimes.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by Agency Secretary Mr. Shadrack Haruna, emphasized that the action was in line with efforts to deliver justice and deter drug-related crimes by eliminating their financial incentives.
“This auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice,” Marwa said. “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.”
Out of the eight properties initially slated for auction, two in Lekki and Ikorodu, Lagos, were excluded following notices of appeal. The remaining six properties were auctioned to pre-qualified bidders, with only two sold above their reserve prices, bringing in over N139 million.
The Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Jerry Aernan, explained that all auctioneers were pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and underwent integrity screening to prevent illicit reacquisition by criminal elements. He noted that successful bidders are required to pay 10% of the bid value within 14 days and complete full payment within the stipulated timeframe.
Umar Yakubu, of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch, commended the NDLEA for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible process. He urged the agency to continue leveraging such auctions as public awareness campaigns in the fight against narcotics.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice beyond prosecution, by recovering and auctioning assets derived from or used in illicit drug activities.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0