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NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART 1 – Establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, etc
PART II – Offences
PART III – Forfeiture of assets of persons arrested for offences under this Acts
Part IV – Application of certain enactments
PART V – Miscellaneous and supplemental provisions
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE
Supplementary provisions relating to the agency
Second schedule
Third Schedule
Assets Declaration Form
NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ACT
An Act to establish the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to enforce laws against the cultivation, processing, sale, trafficking and use of hard drugs and to empower the Agency to investigate persons suspected to have dealings in drugs and other related matters.
[29th December, 1989] [Commencement]
PART 1. – Establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, etc.
(a) a Chairman;
(b) a representative of the Nigeria Police Force, not below the rank of an
Assistant Inspector-General;
(c) the Director, Military Intelligence;
(d) the Director of Customs and Excise;
(e) the Director, State Security Service;
(f) a representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice not below the rank of Director;
(g) the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency;
(h) a representative each of the Ministries of External Affairs, and Health not below the rank of Director; and
(i) three other persons.
(2) The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces shall appoint the Chairman and the members specified in paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of this section on the recommendation of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
(3) The Chairman of the Agency shall be the chief executive of the Agency and shall be the accounting officer of the Agency.
(4) The provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect with
respect to the proceedings of the Agency and other matters mentioned
therein.
conferred on it by other provisions of this Act, the Agency shall have
responsibility for-
(a) the enforcement and the due administration of the provisions of this Act;
(b) the co-ordination of all drug laws and enforcement functions conferred on any person or authority, including Ministers in the Government of the Federation, by any such laws;
(c) adoption of measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from drug-related offences or property whose value corresponds to such proceeds;
(d) adoption of measures to eradicate illicit cultivation of narcotic plants and to eliminate illicit demand for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with a view to reducing human suffering and eliminating financial incentives for illicit traffic, in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
(e) taking such measures which might require the taking of reasonable
precautions to prevent the use of ordinary means of transport for illicit
traffic in narcotic drugs including making special arrangements with
transport owners;
(f) adoption of measures which shall include coordinated preventive and
repressive action, introduction and maintenance of investigative and
control techniques;
(g) adoption of measures to increase the effectiveness of eradication efforts;
(h) the facilitation of rapid exchange of scientific and technical information and the conduct of research geared towards eradication of illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
(i) taking measures for the early destruction or disposal of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which have been seized, confiscated or forfeited;
(j) facilitation or encouragement of the presence or availability of persons,
including persons in custody who consent to assist in investigations or
participate in proceedings relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances;
(k) enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement to suppress illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
(l) establishing, maintaining and securing communication to facilitate the
rapid exchange of information concerning offences and improving
international co-operation in the suppression of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by road, sea and air;
(m) reinforcing and supplementing the measures provided in the Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the United Nations Convention Against illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1989 as adopted by the Nigerian domestic law, in order to counter the magnitude and extent of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and its grave consequences;
(n) taking such measures that may ensure the elimination and prevention of the root causes of the problem of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances;
(o) strengthening and enhancing effective legal means for international
co-operation in criminal matters for suppressing the international activities of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
(p) collaborating with government bodies both within and outside Nigeria
carrying on functions wholly or in part analogous to those of the Agency concerning, amongst others-
(i) the identities, whereabouts and activities of persons suspected of being involved in offences mentioned in this Act;
(ii) the movement of proceeds or property derived from the commission of
such offences;
Laws of
(iii) the movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances specified in the Second Schedule to this Act, and instrumentalities used or intended for use in the commission of such offences;
(iv) the exchange of personnel and other experts;
(v) the establishment and maintenance of a system for monitoring
international dealings in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in order to identify suspicious transactions and persons engaged in them;
(q) taking charge, supervising, controlling, coordinating all the responsibilities, functions and activities relating to arrest, investigation, prosecution of all offences connected with or relating to illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, all drugs units under existing institutions dealing with offenders or offences connected or relating to illicit traffic in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances shall relate and be responsible to the Agency in the performance of their duties and functions; and
(r) strengthening co-operation between the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the police force, customs agencies, immigration agencies, welfare officials, health officials and other law enforcement agencies in the eradication of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
(a) to cause investigations to be conducted as to whether any person has
committed an offence under this Act; and
(b) with a view to ascertaining whether any person has been involved in
offences under this Act or in the proceeds of any such offences, to cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the Agency that that person’s life style and extent of the properties are not justified by his ostensible source of income.
(2) For the purpose of inquiring into and ascertaining whether an offence
under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section has been committed, the Agency may, by notice in writing, call upon any person to furnish to it within a time specified in the notice, such information, returns, accounts, books or other documents in custody of such person as the Agency may consider fit and proper within the circumstances.
(3) The Agency shall not exercise the power conferred upon it by paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section without first obtaining the approval of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
(2) There shall be appointed for the Agency, a Secretary whose rank shall be equivalent to that of Director-General in the civil service of the Federation and who shall be appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
(3) The Secretary shall be the head of Secretariat of the Agency.
(4) The Secretary shall be responsible for the administration of the Secretariat, keep the books and records of the Agency and shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Chairman and the Agency.
(5) The Agency may, from time to time, appoint such other staff, as it may deem necessary, to assist the Agency in the performance of its functions under this Act.
(6) The staff of the Agency appointed under subsection (5) of this section, shall be appointed upon such terms and conditions of service as the Agency may, after consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission, determine.
(7) The staff of the Agency shall be public officers as defined in the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
(a) general and assets investigation unit;
(b) prosecution unit; and
(c) counselling unit.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the Agency shall have power to set up any technical committees to assist it in the performance of its duties and functions under this Act.
(a) prevention and detection of offences in violation of the provisions of this Act;
(b) working in collaboration with the Department of Customs and Excise in
monitoring the movement of goods and persons in any customs area, custom stations, customs ports or customs airports and searching cargoes and incoming and outgoing vessels, including pleasure crafts, and fishing vessels, as well as aircraft and vehicles and, when appropriate, searching crew members, passengers and their baggages;
(c) detecting consignments suspected of containing narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances coming into or out of a customs area, customs station, customs port or customs airport;
(d) maintaining surveillance in harbour and dock areas and at airports and
border control points;
(e) investigating assets and properties of persons arrested for committing any offence under this Act;
(f) identifying and tracing proceeds involved in any offence under this Act and effecting forfeiture of such proceeds; and
(g) dealing with matters connected with extradition and mutual assistance in criminal matters.
(2) The prosecution unit shall be charged with responsibility for-
(a) prosecuting offenders under this Act;
(b) supporting the general and assets investigating unit by providing the unit with legal advice and assistance whenever it is required;
(c) conducting such proceedings as may be necessary towards the recovery of any assets or property forfeited under this Act;
(d) performing such other legal duties as the Agency may refer to it from time to time.
(3) The counselling unit shall, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of
Health, have responsibility for-
(a) campaigns,, seminars and workshops aimed at educating the public on the danger of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances thereby stimulating interest in and awareness about drug related problems;
(b) after care rehabilitation, social re-integration and education of addicts;
(c) the promotion of the welfare of convicts.
(4) There shall be appointed for each of the units a principal officer who shall be known by such designation as the Agency may determine.
(a) method used in the detection and suppression of offences under this Act;
(b) routes and techniques used by persons involved in offences under this Act and appropriate countermeasures;
(c) monitoring of the import and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances;
(d) detection and monitoring of the movement of proceeds and property
derived from narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and instrumentalities used or intended to be used in the commission of offences under this Act;
(e) methods used for the transfer, concealment or disguise of such proceeds, property and instrumentalities; collection of evidence;
(g) law enforcement techniques; and
(h) dissemination of information about drug laws.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the Attorney-General of the Federation may give to the Agency directives of a general nature of specific directive relating generally to a particular matter or case, as the case may be.
(3) It shall be the duty of the Agency to comply with any policy guideline or any directive given to the Attorney-General of the Federation pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
PART II. – Offences
A – Offences relating to drug abuse or trafficking
(a) imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs
popularly known as cocaine, LSD heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life; or
(b) exports, transports or otherwise traffics in the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life;
(c) sells, buys, exposes or offers for sale or otherwise deals in or with the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life; or
(d) knowingly possesses or uses the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroine or any other similar drugs by smoking, inhaling or rejecting the said drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years but not exceeding twenty-five years.
(a) engages in the production, manufacture, extraction, preparation, offering, offering for sale, distribution, sale, delivery on any terms whatsoever, brokerage, dispatch, dispatch in transit, transportation, importation or exportation of any narcotic drug or any psychotropic substance contrary to the provisions of the 1961 Convention and its Protocols, or the 1971 Convention and its Protocols or the United Nations Convention Against illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1989;
(b) engages in the cultivation of opium, opium poppy, coca bush or cannabis plant for the purpose of the production of narcotic drugs contrary to the 1961 Convention;
(c) has in his possession or engages or purchases any narcotic drug or
psychotropic substance for the purpose of any of the activities enumerated in paragraph (a) of this subsection;
(d) engages in the acquisition, possession or use of property knowing at the time of its acquisition, possession or use that such property was derived from any offence referred to in this section;
(e) engages in the possession of equipment or material or substance listed in the Second Schedule to this Act knowing that such equipment, material or substance are to be used in or for the illicit cultivation, production or manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances;
(f) incites or induces any person by any means whatsoever to commit any of the offences referred to in this section;
(g) conspires with, aids, abets, counsels or attempts to commit any of the
offences referred to in this section;
(h) engages in the manufacture, transportation or distribution of equipment, materials or of any substance listed in the Second Schedule to this Act knowing that such equipment, material or substance are to be used in or for the illicit cultivation, production or manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances;
(i) engages in the management, organisation or financing of any of the
offences under paragraphs (a) to (e) and (h) of this subsection;
(j) engages in the conversion or transfer of property knowing that such
property is derived from any offence under this subsection;
(k) engages in the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement, rights with respect to or ownership of property knowing that such property is derived from any offence referred to in this section, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, be liable on conviction to the penalties provided in subsection (2) of this section.
Federation
(2) The penalties for offences under subsection (1) of this section shall-
(a) in respect of an offence under paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (e), (h) and (j)
thereof, be imprisonment for life;
(b) in respect of offences under paragraphs (c), (f), (g) and (i) thereof, be
imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years and not exceeding
twenty-five years.
(3) The Tribunal before whom an accused is being convicted may in addition to the punishment prescribed in subsection (2) of this section, make an order requiring an offender to undergo measures such as treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation or social re-integration.
(4) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the Tribunal before whom a minor is being convicted may, in an appropriate case, make an order as the circumstances may determine-
(a) either as an alternative to conviction or punishment; or
(b) for treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation, social integration of the offender.
(2) A person shall be deemed to commit an offence under this Act if-
(a) he actually does the act which constitutes the offence; or
(b) he does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding
another person to commit the offence; or
(c) he aids another person in committing the offence, or
(d) he counsels or procures any other person in committing the offence; or
(e) he counsels or procures any other person to commit the offence in which case he may himself be charged with committing the offence or with counselling or procuring the commission of the offence.
(3) Any person convicted of counselling or procuring the commission of an
offence under this Act, shall be liable to the same punishment as is
prescribed under this Act for the commission of the offence.
B – Offences Relating to Laundering of Monetary Instruments
(Editor’s Note: Section 13 is REPEALED under Section 23 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2003)
13.(1) Whoever, knowing that the property involved in a financial transaction represents the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, conducts or attempts to conduct such a financial transaction which in fact involves the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity-
(a) with the intent to promote the carrying on of a specified unlawful activity; or
(b) knowing that the transaction is designed in whole or in part-
(i) to conceal or disguise the nature, the location, the source, the ownership or the control of the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity; or
(ii) to avoid a lawful transaction under Nigerian law, guilty of an offence under this Act.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) of this section, shall be liable on conviction-
(a) in case of a financial institution or corporate body, to a fine of two million naira; or
(b) in the case of a director, secretary or other functionary of the financial
institution or corporate body, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty-five years.
(3) Whoever transports or attempts to transport a monetary instrument or
funds from a place in Nigeria to or through a place outside Nigeria or to a place in Nigeria from or through a place outside Nigeria-
(a) with the intent to promote the carrying of a specified unlawful activity; or
(b) knowing that the monetary instrument or funds involved in the transportation represent the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity and knowing that such transportation is designed in whole or in part-
(i) to conceal or disguise the nature, the location, the source, the ownership, or the control of the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity; or
(ii) to avoid a lawful transaction under Nigerian law, shall be guilty of an
offence under this Act and liable on conviction to a fine of one million naira or twice the value of the monetary instrument of funds involved in the transportation, whichever is greater, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty-five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(4) As used in this section-
(a) the term “knowing that the property involved in a financial transaction
represents the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity” means that the person knew the property involved in the transaction represented proceeds from some form, though not necessarily which form, of activity that constitutes an offence under this Act;
(b) the term “conducts” includes initiating, concluding, or participating in
initiating, or concluding a transaction;
(c) the term “transaction” includes a purchase, sale, loan, pledge, gift, transfer, delivery, or other disposition, and with respect to a financial institution, includes a deposit, withdrawal, transfer between accounts, exchange of currency, loan, extension of credit, purchase or sale of any stock, bond, certificate of deposit or other monetary instrument, or any other payment, transfer, or delivery by, through, or to a financial institution, by whatever means effected;
(d) the term “financial transaction” means-
(i) a transaction involving the movement of funds by wire or other means or involving one or more monetary instrument, which in any way or degree affects foreign monetary instrument the licence of such financial institution shall be withdrawn and the institution shall be closed down; or
(ii) a transaction involving the use of a financial institution which is engaged in, or the activities of which affect, foreign commerce in any way or degree;
(e) the term “monetary instruments” means coin or currency of Nigeria or of any other country, traveller’s cheques, personal cheques, bank cheques, money orders, investment securities in bearer form or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery;
(f) the term “financial institution” means a bank as defined in the Banking Act;
(g) the term “specified unlawful activity” means-
(i) any act or activity constituting an offence under this Act;
(ii) with respect to a financial transaction occurring in whole or in part in
Nigeria, an offence against the laws of a foreign nation involving the
manufacture, importation, sale, or distribution of a narcotic drug or
psychotropic substance;
(h) the term “proceeds” means any property derived or obtained, directly or indirectly through the commission of an offence under this Act;
(i) “property” includes assets, monetary instruments and instrumentalities
used in the commission of an offence under this Act.
(2) Where a person is charged with an attempt to commit an offence under this Act, but the evidence establishes the commission of the full offence, the offender shall not be entitled to acquittal but shall be convicted of the offence and punished as provided under this Act.
(2) Where a body corporate is convicted of an offence under this Act, the Tribunal may order that the body corporate shall thereupon and without any further assurance, but for such order, be wound up and all its assets and properties forfeited to the Federal Government.
(a) ensure that its means of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this Act;
(b) comply with appropriate security measures at points of entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.
(2) Such precautions as are referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall include-
(a) the training of personnel to identify suspicious consignment or persons;
(b) promotion of integrity of their personnel;
(c) submission of cargo manifests in advance;
(d) use of tamper-resistant, individually verifiable seals on containers;
(e) reporting to the Agency at the earliest opportunity all suspicious circumstances relating to drug trafficking.
(3) Any commercial carrier which violates the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall, in addition to any other penalty provided in any other Act or enactment, be guilty of an offence.
(4) Where an offence under subsection (3) of this section is committed by a body corporate, every person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a proprietor, director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer, servant or agent of the body corporate (or a person purporting to act in any such capacity) he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and may be proceeded against and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand naira.
(2) The Tribunal shall have power, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other enactment, to impose the penalties provided for in this Act.
(3) The Tribunal shall try and determine proceedings in respect of any offence brought before it under this Act within three months of the date of commencement of the trial.
Federation
(4) In any trial for an offence under this Act, the fact that an accused person is in possession of pecuniary resources or property for which he cannot satisfactorily account and which is disproportionate to his known sources of income, or that he had at or about the time of the alleged offence obtained and accretion to his pecuniary resources or property for which he cannot satisfactorily account, may be proved and may be taken into consideration by the Tribunal as corroborating the testimony of any witness in such trial
(5) In the exercise of its jurisdiction under this Act or any other Act or enactment, the Tribunal seized with jurisdiction for the trial of offences under this Act or any other Tribunal established pursuant to the provisions of any other Act for the trial of any other offences under such Act, shall not be subject to any order of certiorari, mandamus or prohibition of any High Court or any other court order.
(6) The provisions of subsection (5) of this section, shall apply notwithstanding the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, where so ever or any other enactment or Law including any inherent power of any High Court or any other court howsoever.
(a) all the assets and properties which may or are the subject of an interim order of the Tribunal after an attachment by the Agency as specified in section 25 of this Act;
(b) any asset or property constitution, or derived from, any proceeds the person obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of such offence not already disclosed in the Assets Declaration Form or not falling under paragraph (a) of this subsection;
(c) any of the person’s property or instrumentalities used in any manner to commit or to facilitate the commission of such offence not already disclosed in the Assets Declaration Form or not falling under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(2) The Tribunal in imposing sentence on such person, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed pursuant to sections 9 and 10 of this Act, that the person forfeit to the Federal Government all property described in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) In this section, “proceeds” means any property derived or obtained, directly or indirectly, through the commission of the offence.
(2) The Agency shall, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, ensure that the forfeited assets or properties are effectively transferred and vested in the Federal Government.
importation or exportation of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance shall be forfeited to the Federal Government and shall not be returned to that person unless or until the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces directs otherwise after the grant of a pardon or on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
(a) any property, real or personal, which represents the gross receipts a person obtains directly as a result of the violation of this Act or which is traceable to such gross receipts;
(b) any property within Nigeria which represents the proceeds of an offence under the laws of a foreign country involving the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, illicit traffic, abuse or misuse of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance within whose jurisdiction such offence or activity would be punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and which would be punishable by imprisonment under this Act if such act or activity had occurred within Nigeria.
(a) all narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances which have been manufactured, distributed, dispensed or acquired in any manner in violation of this Act;
(b) all raw materials, products and equipment of any kind which are used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, compounding, processing, delivering, importing or exporting any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance;
(c) all instrumentalities of conveyance, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels which are used or are intended for use, to transport, or in any manner, to facilitate the transportation, sale, receipt, possession or concealment of substances described in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, except that-
(i) no means of conveyance used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as a common carrier shall be forfeited under this section unless it shall appear that the owner or other person in charge of such means of conveyances was a consenting party or privy to a violation of this Act;
(ii) no means of conveyance shall be forfeited under this section by reason of any act established by the owner thereof to have been committed by any person other than such owner while such means of conveyance was unlawfully in the possession of a person other than the owner in violation of the criminal laws of Nigeria or any part thereof; and
(iii) no means of conveyance shall be forfeited under this section to the extent of an interest of an owner, by reason of any act established by that owner to have been committed without the knowledge, consent or wilful connivance of that owner;
(d) all books, records, and research, including formulae, microfilms, tapes and data used or intended to be used in violation of any provision of this Act;
(e) all monies, negotiable instruments, securities or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished by any person in exchange for any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance in violation of this Act or all proceeds traceable to such an exchange, and all monies, negotiable instruments and securities used or intended to be used to facilitate any violation of this Act;
(f) all real property, including any right, title and interest (including any leasehold interest) in the whole or any piece or parcel of land and any improvements or appurtenances which is used or intended to be used, in any manner or part to commit, or facilitate the commission of, an offence under this Act.
(a) the seizure is incidental to an arrest or search;
(b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Tribunal following an application made by the Agency in accordance with the prescribed rules.
(2) Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Agency may-
(a) place the property under seal; or
(b) remove the property to a place designated by the Agency.
(3) Property taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Agency, subject only to orders of a Tribunal.
Part III. –
Forfeiture of Assets of Persons Arrested for Offences under this Act.
(2) The Declaration of Assets Form shall be forwarded to the Agency for full investigation by the general and assets investigation unit of the Agency.
(3) Any person who-
(a) knowingly fails to make full disclosure of his assets and liabilities; or
(b) knowingly makes a declaration that is false; or
(c) fails to answer any question;
(d) fails, neglects or refuses to make a declaration or furnish any information required, in the Assets Declaration Form, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of ten years.
(4) Subject to the provisions of section 24 of this Act, whenever the assets and properties of any person arrested under this Act has been attached, the general and assets investigation unit shall apply to the Tribunal for an interim forfeiture order under the provisions of this Act.
(a) the assets or properties of any person arrested for an offence under this Act has been seized; or
(b) any asset or property has been seized by the Agency under this Act, the Agency shall cause an application to be made to the Tribunal for an interim order forfeiting the property concerned to the Federal Government and the Tribunal shall, if satisfied that there is prima facie evidence that the property concerned is liable to forfeiture, make an interim order forfeiting the property to the Federal Government.
(2) Upon receipt of a final order pursuant to this section, the Secretary to the Agency shall take steps to dispose of the property concerned by sale or otherwise and where the property is sold, the proceeds thereof shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
(3) Where any part of the property included in a final order is money in a bank account or in the possession of any person, the Agency shall cause a copy of the order to be produced and served on the manager or any person in control of the head office or branch of the bank concerned and that manager or person shall forthwith pay over the money to the Agency without further assurance than this Act and the Agency shall pay the money received into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
(4) The Attorney-General of the Federation may make rules or regulations for the disposal or sale of any property or assets forfeited pursuant to this Act.
(2) Any manager or person in control of the head office or branch of a bank who fails to pay over to the Agency upon the production to him of a final order shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than three years, without the option of a fine.
Provided that property may still be attached where an acquittal is merely given on technical grounds.
(2) Where an interim order is revoked by a Tribunal under subsection (1) of this section, all assets and properties of the person concerned shall be released to him by the Agency.
(a) any police officer, customs officer or any member of the armed forces; or
(b) the Director and any officer of the Agency authorised by regulations in that behalf-
(i) may, without warrant, enter and search any land, building or carrier, including aircraft, vehicle or container or any other instrumentalities whatsoever which he has reason to believe is connected with the commission of an offence under this Act;
(ii) may perform, test and take samples of any substance relating to the commission of an offence which are found on the land, building or carrier, including aircraft, vehicle, container or any other instrumentalities whatsoever searched pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection;
(iii) arrest any person whom he has reason to believe has committed an offence under this Act;
(iv) seize any item or substance which he has reason to believe has been used in the commission of an offence under this Act.
(2) A written receipt of the Agency shall be given for any item, substance or thing seized under subsection (1) of this section.
(2) The Chairman of the Agency or bank examiner may by an order issued under subsection (1) of this section, or by any subsequent order, direct the bank to supply any information and produce books and documents relating to the account and to stop all outward payments, operations or transactions (including any bill of exchange) in respect of the account of the arrested person.
(3) An order under subsection (1) of this section, shall not be issued or made without prior written approval of the Attorney-General of the Federation and shall be in the form prescribed in the Fourth Schedule to this Act.
(4) The manager shall take necessary steps to comply with the requirements of this order made pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
(5) In this section-
(a) “bank” has the meaning given to it in section 43 of the Banking Act;
(b) the reference to an order issued includes a reference to any order, direction or requirement addressed to the manager of a bank or any other officer of a bank which directs or purports to direct the manager or such officer to stop all outward payments, operations or transactions in respect of any account with that bank.
Part IV. –
Application of Certain Enactments
(2) The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces may by order published in the Federal Gazette extend the provisions of-
(a) the Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act; and
(b) the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters within the Commonwealth (Enactment and Enforcement) Act to apply to any country outside the Commonwealth and, accordingly the provisions of the enactments mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection shall have effect in their application to this Act.
(2) The information and documents referred to in subsection (1) of this section are as follows-
(a) the name, date and place of birth of the convicted offender;
(b) the address (if any) of the convicted offender;
(c) a certified copy of the judgment;
(d) a statement of the facts upon which the conviction and sentence were based if not contained in the judgment;
(e) the nature, duration and date of the commencement of the sentence;
(f) whenever appropriate, any medical or social reports on the convicted offender and any information concerning his medical treatment in the sentencing country and any recommendation for his further treatment;
(g) identities, and whereabouts of persons suspected of being involved with the convicted offender;
(h) information about the proceeds of property derived from the commission of such offence.
Part V. –
Miscellaneous and Supplemental Provisions
37.(1) The Agency shall establish and maintain a fund from which shall be defrayed all expenditure reasonably incurred by the Agency for the
execution of its functions under this Act.
(2) There shall be paid and credited to the fund established pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, such monies as may in each year be approved by the Federal Government for the purpose of the Agency.
(3) The Agency may accept gifts of land, money or other property (whether within or outside Nigeria) upon such terms and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the person or Organisation making the gift:
Provided that the terms and conditions are not contrary to the objectives
and functions of the Agency under this Act.
accepted commercial standards of its receipts payments, assets and
liabilities and shall submit the accounts annually, for auditing by a qualified auditor appointed from the list of auditors and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
immediately preceding year and shall include in such report the audited accounts of the Agency.
(a) wilfully obstructs the Agency or any authorised officer of the Agency in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on the Agency by this Act; or
(b) fails to comply with any lawful enquiry or requirements made by any
authorised officer in accordance with the provisions of this Act, shall be
guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine of twenty thousand naira or to both such imprisonment and fine.
aforesaid paragraph are hereby repealed.
“Agency” means the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency established by
section 1 of this Act;
“Cannabis plant” means any plant of the genius of Cannabis;
“Coca bush” means the plant or any species of the genius of Erythroylos;
“Commercial carrier” means any person or any public, private or other
entity engaged in transporting persons, goods or mails for remuneration,
hire or any other benefit;
“Confiscation” includes forfeiture or the permanent deprivation of property
by order of a Tribunal;
“Freezing” or “seizure” means temporarily prohibiting the transfer,
conversion, disposal or movement of property, asset or money or
temporarily assuming custody or control of them on the basis of
attachment by the Agency;
“Narcotic drug” means any of the substances, natural or synthetic in the
First Schedule of the single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 and the
Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol amending the single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended in the Second Schedule to this
Act including the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1989;
“Opium poppy” means the plant of the species of Papaver somniferum;
“Psychotropic substance” means any substance, natural or synthetic, or any
natural materials specified in Schedules I, II, III and IV of the Convention on
Drugs or Psychotropic Substances 1971.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Section 2(4)
Supplementary Provisions Relating to the Agency
Proceedings of the Agency
Committees
5.(1) Subject to its standing orders, the Agency may appoint such number of standing and ad-hoc committees as it thinks fit to consider and report on any matter with which the Agency is concerned.
(2) Every committee appointed under the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph, shall be presided over by a member of the Agency and shall be made up of such number of persons, not necessarily members of the Agency, as the Agency may determine in each case.
Miscellaneous
(a) by any vacancy in the membership of the Agency; or
(b) by any defect in the appointment of a member of the Agency or
committee; or
(c) by reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.
interest in any contract or arrangement entered into or proposed to be
considered by the Agency or committee shall forthwith disclose his interest to the Agency or committee and shall not vote on any question relating to the contract or arrangement.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Section 3 (p) (iii) and 11(1)(e)(h)
Table I Table II
Ephedrine Acetic anbydride
Ergometrine Acetone
Ergotamine Anitranlic acid
Hysergic acid Ethylether
Phenylacetic acid Piperidine
The salts of the substances listed in this Table whenever the existence of
such salts is possible. The salts of the substances listed in this Table
whenever the existence of such salts is possible.