Prominent public commentator and former government minister, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR, has called on the Government of Sierra Leone to enforce existing anti-drug and asset forfeiture laws rather than introducing new ones.

Her statement follows President Julius Maada Bio’s recent proposal, announced through his Press Secretary, to introduce new legislation enabling the seizure of assets from individuals convicted of drug-related offenses.

While expressing support for the President’s stance on tackling drug trafficking, Dr. Blyden stressed that the legal framework for asset confiscation already exists under the National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008.

The law, enacted during the administration of former President Ernest Bai Koroma and passed by the Third Parliament of the Second Republic, contains detailed provisions for the investigation, seizure, and forfeiture of assets derived from illicit drug activities.

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“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The laws are already in place as from the year 2008,” she said.

Referencing key provisions of the Act including Sections 3(2)(a), 3(3)(b), 9(2), 72, 73, 81, and 84 Dr. Blyden explained that it empowers the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to investigate suspected drug traffickers, confiscate proceeds of crime, and even pursue the seizure of foreign-based properties purchased with illicit funds.

She further highlighted that the Act allows the NDLEA to compel banks and financial institutions to release financial records of individuals under investigation, with non-compliance carrying a minimum five-year jail sentence for offenders.

“That harsh treatment of disobedient bank managers or citizens who may wish to protect suspected drug dealers shows how seriously the law takes the investigation, seizure, and forfeiture of assets of illicit drug dealers,” she added.

According to Dr. Blyden, Sierra Leone already possesses one of the most comprehensive anti-drug legal frameworks in the subregion. The real challenge, she emphasized, lies not in legislative gaps but in implementation and enforcement.

She urged the Bio administration and the NDLEA to rigorously apply the existing law to bring offenders to justice and ensure that proceeds from drug crimes are confiscated to deter others.

“The bottom line,” she concluded, “is that we already have robust laws as passed in 2008. Let’s apply them.”

Dr. Blyden’s statement reignites national dialogue on Sierra Leone’s fight against drug trafficking, calling for renewed focus on action and accountability rather than legislative duplication