The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has carried out a public auction of properties forfeited by convicted drug traffickers. The properties, either acquired through proceeds of drug crimes or used in the commission of such offences, were auctioned on Tuesday at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
The auction was conducted in the presence of pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organizations, the media, and officials from other government agencies.
Representing NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), the agency’s Secretary, Mr. Shadrack Haruna, said the exercise aligns with NDLEA’s strategy to disrupt drug trafficking networks by stripping offenders of both their freedom and illicit wealth.
“This auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice,” Haruna said. “By confiscating and auctioning properties linked to drug crimes, we aim to neutralize the financial incentives that drive drug trafficking, serving both as punishment and a strong deterrent.”
The auction involved eight forfeited properties located in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun states. Two properties in Lekki and Ikorodu, Lagos, were withdrawn due to pending appeals. Of the remaining six, only two were successfully sold for a combined total exceeding ₦139 million. The others either received no bids or offers below the reserve price.
Umar Yakubu, of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch, praised the auction for its openness and adherence to international best practices, describing it as a model of institutional transparency and accountability.
Director of Proceeds of Crime Management at NDLEA, Mr. Jerry Iorwa Aernan, emphasized that all participating auctioneers were pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and passed rigorous integrity checks. He further explained that successful bidders are required to pay 10% of their bid value within 14 days to secure their purchase, with full payment due within the stipulated timeframe.
The NDLEA stated that such asset recovery efforts reinforce its commitment to not only prosecute drug criminals but also to dismantle their financial networks in accordance with due process and the law.
