Overview

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Cap. N30) establishes the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria to enforce laws against the cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking, and use of hard drugs. The Act is organized into five parts: Part I covers the establishment, composition, functions, and special powers of the Agency; Part II defines various offences including importation, possession, and trafficking of drugs like cocaine and heroin, with penalties and forfeiture provisions; Part III addresses forfeiture of assets of arrested persons, including interim and final forfeiture orders; Part IV applies other enactments and requires Nigerian diplomatic missions to supply information; Part V covers miscellaneous provisions such as the Agency's fund, accounts, annual reports, obstruction penalties, and regulations. Key sections include Section 3 detailing the Agency's functions (e.g., enforcement, investigation, education, coordination), Section 4 granting special powers (e.g., search, arrest, seizure without warrant), and Section 11 imposing life imprisonment for drug trafficking. The Act also provides for freezing orders on bank accounts, forfeiture of property and passports, and penalties for offences like conspiracy, unlawful possession, and tampering with drugs.

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