The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, publicly auctioned forfeited houses, which were either acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking or used as an instrumentality for committing the crime.

The exercise, which took place at NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, had pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organisations and the media, as well as other government agencies in attendance.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (rtd), said the exercise formed part of the agency?s strategic efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks by depriving offenders both liberty and illicit wealth in strict compliance with legal frameworks and due process.

Represented by the NDLEA Secretary, Shadrack Haruna, he reaffirmed the agency?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 neutralised through legal forfeiture. This serves as both punishment and deterrence. When drug traffickers know they stand to lose everything, including their ill-got assets, it sends a stronger message than imprisonment alone.?

The auction involved the forfeiture of eight properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo and Ogun. Two of the houses located in the 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 bid or attracted offers below the benchmark.

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. He noted that the level of transparency observed was commendable and reflective of a strong institutional culture that prioritises public accountability.

He encouraged the agency to amplify such efforts as a public education tool to underscore the consequences of drug crimes.

In his remarks, Director, Proceeds of Crime Management in NDLEA, Jerry 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 emphasised 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. (The Guardian)

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