The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) held a public auction on July 29, 2025, at its National Headquarters in Abuja, selling properties forfeited due to their connection to drug trafficking or use in related crimes.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, stated that the auction was attended by pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, civil society representatives, media, and other government agencies.
Representing NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Agency Secretary Mr. Shadrack Haruna emphasized that the auction is a key part of the agency’s strategy to disrupt drug trafficking networks by stripping offenders of both their freedom and illicitly gained assets, in full compliance with legal frameworks.
Marwa reiterated NDLEA’s commitment to prosecuting drug offenders and targeting all assets acquired through criminal proceeds.
According to him,
"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.
"The auction involved forfeited eight properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun. 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.
"Six other properties were auctioned to pre-qualified bidders, with only two sold at over N139 million following successful bids above their reserved prices. Others either failed to receive any bids or attracted offers below the benchmark".
Speaking at the bidding exercise, 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.
In his remarks, Director, Proceeds of Crime Management in NDLEA, Jerry Iorwa Aernan noted 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.
He emphasized that successful bidders must pay 10 percent of their bid value within fourteen days to confirm their interest, while the full payment is expected within a stipulated timeframe.
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