Senate Asks NDLEA, NHRC to Re-present Amended Drug-Control Bill After Presidential Rejection

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Senate on Monday urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to urgently harmonise positions and re-present the amended National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act for legislative reconsideration.

The advice followed President Bola Tinubu’s refusal to sign the bill in June 2025.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, issued the charge on behalf of the red chamber at a technical workshop of NHRC, civil society, human rights defenders forum, and the human rights expo in Abuja.

Bamidele said the bill could return to the National Assembly once the constitutional conflict that led to the president’s rejection was resolved.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Charles Luri-Bala, Bamidele explained that the 10th National Assembly had completed its review of the NDLEA Act, 2004 earlier this year.

He stated that Tinubu withheld assent because one section of the amendment breached Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

The workshop had as its theme, “Towards a Comprehensive Drug Harm Reduction Strategy in Nigeria: Legislative Perspectives and Opportunities.”

It focused on reforming Nigeria’s drug-control regime to ensure it delivered public-health outcomes rather than punitive consequences.

Bamidele applauded NHRC and its partners for convening the forum, stressing that the challenge posed by illicit drug use requires a rights-based, multi-sectoral strategy.

“We recognise that illicit drug use demands approaches that uphold the rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable populations,” he said.

Bamidele insisted that Nigeria’s drug policy must evolve from punitive enforcement models to frameworks that prioritised treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. According to him, these are the motivations behind the National Assembly’s attempt to overhaul the NDLEA Act.

He said, “The fact that the president declined assent does not mean the bill cannot return. Once the section that conflicts with the Constitution is properly addressed, the National Assembly can take the bill again.

“We must not abandon a reform that can fundamentally strengthen Nigeria’s anti-drug response.”

Bamidele urged NDLEA, NHRC and civil society groups to collaborate in refining the amendment bill, stating that a modern, evidence-driven drug-harm-reduction legal framework is essential for national development.

He assured participants of legislative support once consensus was achieved.

Bamidele said, “Lawmakers are committed to reviewing and supporting an amendment that provides strong legal and institutional backing for evidence-based drug-harm-reduction strategies.

“The insights and recommendations from this workshop will be invaluable as we consider necessary reforms.”

Tinubu had, in declining assent to the bill in June 2025, cited its conflict with Section 58(4) of the constitution, particularly the provision that sought to allow NDLEA to retain a portion of proceeds recovered from drug-related crimes.

Under the current legal regime, all proceeds of crime must be remitted to the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account.

With growing consensus among stakeholders for a rights-respecting, health-focused drug policy, Monday’s call by the senate sets the stage for renewed efforts to ensure that the amended NDLEA legislation returns to the legislative pipeline, this time aligned with constitutional requirements and global best practices.