Drug pushers’ to lose choice houses in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Kano
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.
