5 March 2025
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has auctioned properties and assets confiscated from convicted drug traffickers, a move the agency says is aimed at dismantling the financial power of drug cartels in Nigeria.
Speaking at the public auction in Abuja on Tuesday, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that convicted drug traffickers do not enjoy the proceeds of their illicit trade.
“This exercise is part of our strategy to disrupt the networks of drug traffickers and send a strong message that crime does not pay. In the past, traffickers would serve their jail term and return to enjoy their wealth. That is no longer the case. Once convicted, their assets are seized and auctioned transparently,” Marwa stated.
He assured bidders that the auction process was fair and devoid of corruption, citing his personal experience where a friend’s representative was misled during a bidding process in another government agency. “There are no games in NDLEA. Everything is done on merit, and we ensure transparency at every stage,” he said.
The auction, which included properties in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Abuja, drew interest from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), civil society groups, and professional auctioneers.
Mrs. Grace Orieoma, Director of the Proceeds and Crime Department at the ICPC, described the auction as a landmark step in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. “Beyond seizing assets, NDLEA is ensuring that the proceeds benefit the nation rather than returning to criminal hands,” she remarked.
However, Chief Iyke Nwoko, a former National Treasurer of the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers, called for a review of the valuation process, arguing that some government appraisals were unrealistic. “If a property costs N3 million to construct, it is often valued at N6 million or more, making it difficult for genuine bidders to participate. A fair review will encourage wider participation,” he advised.
Despite concerns over valuation, observers and civil society organizations commended the NDLEA for maintaining a transparent process, urging the agency to sustain its crackdown on drug traffickers and their financial operations.
