Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - Two of the eight properties forfeited by drug traffickers have being auctioned for N139 million, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said yesterday.
The seized houses in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Kano states, were
either acquired with proceeds of drug trafficking, or used as instrumentality
of committing the crime.
A public auction was yesterday conducted on the forfeited
houses at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
Pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil
society organisations, the media and other government agencies witnessed the
process.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba
Marwa, said the auction forms part of the agency’s strategic efforts to
dismantle drug trafficking networks by depriving offenders the liberty and
illicit wealth in strict compliance with legal frameworks and due process.
Gen. Marwa, who was represented by the agency Secretary, Mr.
Shadrack Haruna, reaffirmed NDLEA’s resolve to pursue drug offenders not only
through prosecution but also by targeting all assets acquired through proceeds
of crime.
He said: “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 eight forfeited properties across
Lagos, Kano, Ondo and Ogun. Two of the houses, located in Lekki and Ikorodu
areas of Lagos, were stepped down following 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.
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.
He noted that the level of transparency observed was
commendable and reflective of a strong institutional culture that prioritizes
public accountability. He further encouraged the agency to amplify such efforts
as a public education tool to underscore the consequences of drug crimes.
The NDLEA Director, Proceeds of Crime Management, 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
prevent the disposed assets from returning to original owners through the back
door.
He emphasized that successful bidders must pay 10 per cent
of their bid value within 14 days to confirm their interest, while the full
payment is expected within a stipulated timeframe.
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