Reps to hold fact-finding conference to expose drug traffickers

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the rising cases of drug trafficking and alcohol abuse has pledged to identify and expose those behind the menace for prosecution.

In a statement on Sunday, the committee’s chairman, Rep. Timeyin Adelegbe (APC–Ondo), said the lawmakers would not allow Nigeria to become a dumping ground for toxic products, illegal drugs, and harmful business practices.

He announced that the committee would soon hold multi-stakeholder conferences in Abuja and Lagos to gather input from experts, citizens, and institutions on how to tackle the growing challenge of substance abuse.

According to him, the initiative follows public outcry for a national response that addresses public health, youth safety, corporate accountability, and the integrity of Nigeria’s trade and regulatory systems.

“The committee is determined to investigate and expose all forms of corporate and institutional misconduct contributing to the spread of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco-related abuse in the country,” Adelegbe stated.

He explained that the upcoming conferences will serve as platforms for policy dialogue, expert recommendations, and the development of actionable legislative reforms.

The Lagos sessions will focus on the alcohol, tobacco, port terminals, and pharmaceutical sectors, while the Abuja sessions will involve government agencies, NGOs, CSOs, and regulatory bodies.

Adelegbe cautioned that any organisation found to have misled or withheld information from the committee would face sanctions for contempt of the National Assembly under Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He emphasized that the investigation was not a witch-hunt but a patriotic effort to safeguard public health and restore ethical corporate practices.

“Nigeria must never become a dumping ground for toxic products, illegal drugs, or destructive business practices.

“This committee stands firm in defence of the Nigerian people,” he declared.