Abuja: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has conducted a public auction of forfeited houses acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking or used as instrumentality of committing the crime.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the exercise, which took place in Abuja, had pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organizations and the media as well as other government agencies in attendance. Speaking at the occasion, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said that the agency would continue to combine incarceration with asset forfeiture.
Marwa, represented by the NDLEA Secretary, Mr. Shedrack Haruna, emphasized that the agency's approach is guided by the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), which empowers law enforcement bodies to seize and dispose of properties acquired through criminal activity. He noted that the aim is not only to punish drug offenders through prosecution and imprisonment but also to ensure they do not return from prison to enjoy the proceeds of their crimes.
Commenting on the outcome of the auction, Marwa noted that some properties were not sold due to low bids, failing to meet the government's reserve price. He mentioned that the Federal Ministry of Works serves as the agency's official government valuer, setting a benchmark for property valuation.
Marwa also addressed concerns raised by auctioneers about properties in high-risk or unsafe areas, indicating that these realities would be reviewed with the valuers for potential revaluation. He assured that feedback from the bidding process would be documented and forwarded for further review.
Umar Yakubu, a representative from the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch, commended the NDLEA for conducting an open and credible process. Yakubu emphasized that beyond incarceration, assets forfeiture sends a strong signal to criminals that crime does not pay.
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 undergone integrity checks. He explained that successful bidders must pay 10 percent of their bid value within 14 days to confirm their interest, with full payment expected within a stipulated timeframe.
NAN reports that the auction involved eight forfeited properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun States. Two properties in the Lekki and Ikorodu areas of Lagos were removed from the process due to appeal notices. Six other properties were successfully auctioned, with only two sold at over N139 million following bids above their reserved prices.