Within 48 Hours, 43 Nigerians Win Bids For Vehicles Seized By Customs – Official

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says no fewer than 43 persons have won the bidding of vehicles in the first 48 hours of the newly launched e-auction platform.

Joseph Attah, the Public Relations Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday in Abuja that the platform “is active and working.”

Mr. Attah made the clarification following numerous complaints from interested bidders that they could not access the Customs’ auction websites.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, on July 3 in Abuja inaugurated the e-auction platform aimed at giving all Nigerians equal opportunities to partake in bidding for seized vehicles and to increase Customs’ revenue.

“At the first day of the launching, there were technical challenges with the e-auction platform and these challenges have already been resolved.

“Potential bidders can now register smoothly without hitches.
“The first 48 hours expired at 12noon on Wednesday and already 43 persons have won the bidding including a journalist, so you can see this platform is working.

“For now, it is only Jaiz bank that is on the platform, other designated banks are having Interswitch issues and they will soon be on board as soon as they ratify the issues. 
I understand that today one bank will soon be on board,’’ he said.

Mr. Attah called on potential bidders to be calm and make use of the bank available on the platform for now until other banks could come on board.

“For those trying to register, they should go to the designated bank area on the platform, click on the Jaiz bank and print out the page from their system and go to the bank to pay.

“This means the person has activated with Jaiz bank and the bank can key you into the bank system to enable you pay the N1 000 administrative fee, which will be transferred to your e-wallet,’’ he said.
NAN reports that between 4:10 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, the platform was showing “Under Maintenance’’.

The platform also gave an instruction saying: “Dear user, the server is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance or upgrade. Please refresh the page in a few minutes.’’
However, after many attempts to refresh the page by NAN correspondent, it still showed the same instruction.
(NAN)

Nigerian Customsexplains why people cannot access their e-auction site

Spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Joseph Attah, has said some people cannot access their e-auction portal because of technical problems.

The portal was launched on Tuesday by the Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali.

However, many interested bidders lamented the unavailability of the platform.

Attah said the challenges had already been resolved and many people were already accessing the platform.

“Every batch has 48 hours, the first 48 hours elapsed at noon on Wednesday, July 5, and the system completely locks out everybody, automatically sends mails to the winners.

“That is why some bidders are beginning to experience problems and by Monday, July 10, the system will open again for new set of bidders”, he said.

On designated banks, Attah said for now, it was only Jaiz bank that was on the platform because other banks were having Interswitch issues.

“These other banks will soon be on board as soon as they rectify the issues,” he said.

How Customs seized a container with 440 guns imported from Turkey

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Command, on Tuesday, intercepted a container laden with 440 arms and ammunition of various sizes and designs.
Speaking about the seizure, the zonal commander, Tin Can Island command, Monday Abue, who represented the Comptroller-General, NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), said that the cargo was shipped from Turkey.

He said that the consignment was declared as Plaster of Paris by the importer.

Abue explained that the container with registration number PONU 210024/1, was picked up based on intelligence report, adding that investigations were ongoing to unmask the importer.

According to him, the pump-action rifles were manufactured in the United States of America and Italy.

He said, “They are pump-action rifles of various designs and also the single-barrelled devices that you are familiar with.

“We discovered that they used POP to conceal the importation. We have arrested one defendant but due to security reasons, we don’t want to make it public for now because such information could hamper investigations which are still ongoing.”

According to Abue, the nation had been saved from another round of problem that the rifles would have caused.

The PRO of the command, Uche Eiesieme, in a statement issued after the press briefing, listed the rifles seized as 100 pieces of Black Tornado single-barrelled rifles, 75 pieces of Silver Magnum single-barrelled rifles, 50 pieces of Altar pump-action rifles, 215 pieces of Black single-barrelled rifles, among other accessories.

The development is coming after a similar seizure of 661 pump-action rifles early in the year by the NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, along the Mile Two-Apapa Road in Lagos.

The rifles, according to the Comptroller-General of the NCS, were imported from Turkey and routed through the Apapa port.

Meanwhile, Sifax Group, owners of Ports and Cargoes Handling Services limited, has refuted the report carried by several online news media that the seizure was made inside the ports and cargo terminal.
The rebuttal was communicated to our correspondent on the telephone by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Sifax Group, Olumuyiwa Akande, on Tuesday.

How Nigerian Custom Service officers escaped death by the whiskers at Ungwan Sarki Kaduna + Pictures.

Two officers of the Nigeria custom service riding in an official hillux pickup on thursday 4/05/17 at about 3.30pm were attacked by some unknown young men. The custom officers halted at the rabah road junction/traffic light waiting for the the green light when 4 young men alighted  from motorcycles with clubs and machetes and attacked them.. The driver and the officers  managed to escape as people scampered for safety. The custom's vehicle was badly damaged. 45mins later, the young men returned with gasoline and set the vehicle ablaze. This ugly incident may have heralded the beginning of hit-and - run war between the NCS and some aggrieved car dealers....

More photos below...

Photo credit: Joshua Orum 

Customs releases help desk ‘quick access’ phone numbers

The Nigeria Customs Service has released three telephone numbers that could be used to reach the helpdesk for immediate confirmation of Customs duty papers by members of the public.

The numbers according to the service are; 094621597, 094621598,094621599.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer, NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, on Saturday.

The numbers according to Attah, are for those interested in verifying the genuineness of their papers or who intend to buy vehicles from dealers.

The statement read in part, “Any person can take advantage of this easy way to call and give the following information; and hold on for an immediate answer before purchasing the vehicle(s)- C –number, year of payment, command that the duty was said to be paid.

“As you are reading out the C- number on the top right of the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) and giving the year of payment and the command (where the duty was paid), the information is being keyed in for prompt answer that will enable you make appropriate purchase decision.”

He added that the NCS, under the present management was determined to explore all ways of easing Customs processes and procedures in the interest of the general public.

‘Why I Won’t Appear Before Senate On Wednesday’ – Hameed Ali

The Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller General, Hameed Ali has disclosed he will not appear before the Senate tomorrow, March 22.

Ali confirmed this at media parley with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said, based on a writ of summons he received Tuesday on a case filed by a lawyer at an Abuja court, it would be subjudice for him to appear before the Senate on the pending issues before them which are also part of what was before the court.

He said: “Based on the advice from lawyers and briefing from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice who is also a party in the suit, I won’t be appearing before the Senate tomorrow until the court decides otherwise”.

Ali also spoke on other matters, confirming that highly influential Nigerians have been stopped from wielding influence to illegally bring expensive items including exotic vehicles into the country without paying appropriate duties.

Senate walks out Customs CG, Ali, over failure to wear uniform

The Senate on Thursday walked out Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service‎, Hameed Ali, from the Red chamber over his failure to wear his uniform.

The Customs CG had appeared before the Senate in a white caftan ‎to address the lawmakers on the Customs decision to introduce vehicles duty on cars already in use.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, threw the first punch at Ali when he asked him why he refused to wear his uniform as demanded by the Senate.

The Customs CG in response disclosed that there is no place in the law that mandated him to wear the uniform while performing his duty as the Customs CG and also there was nowhere in the letter inviting him that said he should wear any uniform while coming to the Senate.

However, many senators who spoke on the floor said that the Customs CG can only address the Senate if he puts his formal uniform of the Customs.
The motion to send the Customs CG away was moved by Senator George Sekibo.

It was seconded by Senator Barnabas Gemade.
They said Ali must come next week Wednesday in his uniform for the conversation on the issue of duty on old vehicles.

BREAKING: Customs Boss, Hameed Ali Arrives Senate Without Uniform + Video

The Nigerian Customs Service Comptroller-General Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has arrived the National Assembly ahead of the rescheduled hearing during which he is expected to brief the Senate on the proposed policy on vehicle duty payment.

Ali entered the National Assembly around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 16 and was ushered to the office of special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Senate, Ita Enang.

Following his failure to appear before the Senate as earlier expected, the Senate had on Wednesday invoked Section 89 of the constitution to compel Mr. Ali to appear Thursday or risk arrest.

Although the Customs had suspended the controversial policy Wednesday morning in obedience to the Senate, the lawmakers insisted he must appear before them.

But against the demand of the lawmakers, Mr. Ali came to the National Assembly in a white mufti, not “appropriate” uniform as demanded by lawmakers.

The Senate is at the moment in an executive session believed to be for deliberation on how to treat Mr. Ali when he appears without uniform.

His briefing is the Senate’s first business of the day.


Watch Video of His Arrival Below;

VIDEO: CG of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) walking towards the Senate chambers in mufti pic.twitter.com/IqGRFikU0g

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) March 16, 2017

Ogun Assembly to summon Customs Comptroller

The Ogun State House of Assembly is to summon the State Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), to appear before it over increasing reckless killing by NCS operatives.

This followed last Wednesday’s killing of a member of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Saubana Koleoso, by Customs operatives.

Koleoso was conveying bags of rice from Abeokuta to Sagamu in a vehicle when he was shot for “resisting” arrest.
At yesterday’s sitting, lawmakers took turns to condemn the action of the Customs officers, describing it as “incessant and needless killings”.
According to them, there was need to invite the Customs’ boss to explain the alleged incessant killing of citizens.

Nureni Idowu Olowofuja (Abeokuta South II) said the NCS boss had been invited to brief the House on the development, but he failed to honour the invitation.
Biyi Adeleye (Remo North) said: “NCS is a creation of the law and it must abide by the law.”
Adeyemi Harrison (Ogun Waterside) said it would be unfair to conclude that Customs officers killed the victim without getting the other side of the story.
Oludare Kadir (Ijebu North 2) submitted that the incident showed lack of professional training, weaponry handling and discipline on the part of the Customs officers.
The Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, said the Assembly would engage the NCS to ensure it carries out its duties within the ambit of the law.
Adekunbi commiserated with the victims’ families, saying “no amount of sanctions imposed will bring back the dead”.
The members, however, observed one minute silence for the repose of the dead.
There was a mild drama when the deceased’s family and friends invited to observe plenary were denied entrance shortly before the commencement of sitting.
For about 30 minutes, they shut the Assembly’s main gate and asked the lawmakers to come out to address them.
It took the intervention of some security operatives to calm the aggrieved relatives, who nominated a four-man delegation to observe the plenary.

Comply with all Customs’ rules – Former Comptroller-General advises Hameed Ali

A former Comptroller-General, C-G, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Bello Haliru, has claimed that he always wore the uniform of the agency while in office, even though he was a political appointee and not a career officer.
Recall that the current CG of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has refused to appear before the Nigerian Senate on his uniform, leading to controversies.

The Senate had advised him to resign as the agency’s CG since he found it difficult putting on the uniform.
Haliru was the first Customs CG to be appointed outside the service in 1988 by the former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida.
Former military Head of State, Sani Abacha relieved him of his duty in 1994.
Haliru, who is also a former Minister of Communications from 2001 to 2003, told the Sun that he was duty-bound to obey all the rules and regulations of the agency following his appointment.

“The moment I was appointed, I became a career Customs officer,” Mr. Haliru said.
“I knew I must comply with all rules and regulations of the organisation I am leading and that included wearing a uniform”, he added.
The former NCS CG spoke amid raging controversy over current CG of Customs’ refusal to wear the agency’s uniform.
Since his appointment in August 2015, Hamid Ali has rebuffed pressure on him to wear the khaki, saying last week that he was “not appointed Comptroller-General to wear uniform.”

See The New Letter Customs Boss Wrote Senate Explaining Why He Won’t Appear Before Lawmakers On Wednesday

The Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) has written another letter to the Senate begging them to schedule his invitation the the upper chamber to another day.

In the letter signed personally by the Col. Hameed Ali and dated March 14, 2017, the C-G explained that he was currently bereaved and could not appear at the time.

On the issue of wearing Uniforms, he urged the Senate to give him time as he was seeking legal advise on the matter to avoid running foul of the laws of the land.

The letter reads in part: “Regarding the wearing of uniform, I wish to advise that the Senate avails itself of the legal basis of its decision to compel me to wear uniform.

“I am similarly seeking legal advise on this issue so that both the Senate and I will operate within the proper legal framework.


“I regret my inability to answer the Senate invitation owing to a recent bereavement. I will however, make myself available whenever i am needed in future,” he wrote.

The C-G had written to the Senate earlier stating that he could not honour the invitation as the date clashed with the official monthly management meeting of the NCS.

The Senate however rejected the letter and insisted that the NSC boss must appear before the Senate on March 15 and in appropriate uniform of the service.

Meanwhile. a source in the office of the President of the Senate however told NAN that the Senate has also rejected the recent letter and insisted that the Col. must appear before the legislative Chamber on Wednesday.

See the letter below;

I am taking legal advice on issue of wearing uniform | Customs boss write Senate again

 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali has written another letter to the Senate over a summon that he should appear before it in uniform, TheCable reports.
The Senate had asked Ali to appear before it over plans to seize vehicles without paid customs duty.

The Customs boss had however written a letter stating that he would not be present due to an official assignment.

But the Senate on Tuesday demanded that he appears before it on Wednesday unfailingly.
Ali has however written another letter to the Senate President stating that he is taking legal advice on the issue of wearing uniforms.

He wrote, “May I respectfully refer to your letter dated 9 March and inform Your Excellency that the decision on payment of customs duties by vehicle owners who do not have them as prescribed by law is currently being reviewed. The goal of the review is to take a broad additional input from the stakeholders and the public. I will welcome the opportunity to avail the senate of our findings.

“Regarding to wearing of uniform, I wish to advice that the senate avails itself of the legal basis of its decision to compel me to wear uniform. I am similarly taking legal advice on this issue so that both the senate and I will operate within the proper legal framework.”

Senate mandates Customs boss to appear in uniform before it (Read full details)

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali

The Senate has mandated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali to appear in plenary in appropriate uniform on March 15, unfailingly to address the issue of Customs Tax Duties on vehicles.

This followed a Point of Order raised by Sen. Dino Melaye on a publication in Daily Sun newspaper of March 9, which reads: “Customs dares Senate, says no going back on implementation of duties on old vehicles”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Senate had recently directed the Customs to stop the plan to punish anyone who failed to pay duties on vehicles within a month of bringing them into the country.

The resolution followed a motion by Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, who described the new policy as a serious matter. According to Melaye, the most important arm of government is the legislature and the Nigeria Customs cannot function without the National Assembly.

“The customs cannot spend or survive without appropriation and oversight.

“And if this senate will take a resolution and an agency of government will have the guts and the strength to disregard the institution of the senate, it is not good for democracy,” he said.

Melaye said that government existed to serve the people and not the people in government, adding that if the senate had taken a position in the interest of Nigerians and an institution of government would disrespect the Senate, “it is unacceptable’’.

“I hope this was a misrepresentation that they did not take that position.

“This comment can only be made in a military government, where an individual, a parastatal or an institution of government will confront the power of the senate,” he said.

Sen. Solomon Olamilekan (APC-Lagos) said that there was the need to put to a stop “to the high-handedness of the Comptroller-General of Customs’’.

“The Comptroller-General is carrying out the affairs of Customs as if he is the Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria. If he cannot wear the uniform, then it is an insult to the customs,” he said.

He called on the National Assembly to amend the existing law that established such agencies to ensure that heads of the agencies would be subjected to confirmation by the assembly.

Sen. Kabiru Marafa (APC-Zamfara) said that the customs was an agency of government meant to serve Nigerians and the country being a democratic government had a duty to protect its citizens.

“This kind of impunity cannot be allowed to happen,” he said.

Similarly, the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan said that whatever government was doing should be in the interest of Nigerians.

“We must invite the Comptroller-General to explain what he intends to do. We must not rely completely on what the Newspaper said.

He also called on the authorities of customs to come up with strategies that would stop the infiltration by smugglers into the country.
In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary said that the activities of customs lately had been of concern to all.

“Part of our responsibilities as parliamentarians is to maintain peace. And anything that will cause breach of the peace, then it is our responsibility to ensure that we stop it.
“While we fight corruption, we must also in equal measure fight impunity. We cannot allow impunity to take root in this country,” he said.

Three feared dead as Tokunbo dealers, Customs men exchange fire

Three persons, among them an official of the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), were feared dead during an exchange of gunfire between imported car dealers and men of the NCS at Bode-Saadu, Moro Local Government Council of Kwara State.

It was learnt that three other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries during the exchange of gun shots and are currently receiving medical treatment at a private medical facility in the town.

According to eye witnesses the car dealers were said to be coming through illegal route from Cotonou, Benin Republic when they met the men of the NCS who had reportedly laid an ambush for them.

It was while they were trying to evade arrest that men of the NCS opened fire on the car dealers who also allegedly retaliated.

Three persons were said to have been hit by bullets during the incident which sent panic among residents while about three others were also said to have sustained serious injuries.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Kwara Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said it happened on Monday evening at Bode-Saadu but that only one person died while three others sustained injuries during the exchange of gun fire. He, however, said that no arrest was yet to be made over the ugly incidence.

Nigeria Customs Gives Vehicle Owners Ultimatum to Clear Their Vehicles or Face the Consequences

All Nigerian vehicle owners who have not paid duties have been warned to do so immediately before the one month ultimatum or face the music.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Retired Col. Hameed Ali, has approved one month grace for all Nigerian vehicle owners who have not paid duties to do so or face outright seizure of the vehicles. And this applies even to new vehicles bought from car dealers.
The Acting Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the comptroller-general had given a window of one month, from March 13 to April 12 for car owners to pay the appropriate duty on their vehicles.
The public relations officer said that some owners of vehicles brought into the country through the land borders, obviously, did not pay duty.
He advised that owners of such vehicles should go and comply by paying the duty on their vehicles.
Attah listed four Customs Zonal offices where authenticity of Car Customs duty could be verified; such as Zone A Headquarters, No 1, Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos; and Zone B Headquarters, Kabala Doki, Kaduna.
He mentioned other offices where duty could be verified as: Zone C Headquarters, Port Harcourt and Zone D Headquarters, Yelwa Tudu Road, Bauchi State.
Attah said that any vehicle owner in doubt,who was not sure of the authenticity of his Customs document, could approach the above zones closest to him to verify.
He said that after the deadline of the given period, Customs would embark on an aggressive anti-smuggling operation to seize vehicles as well as prosecute the owners.
The Customs spokesman said that since the ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders by the Federal Government, the service had been working to perfect the process of issuing licences for bonded vehicle terminals for car dealers.
Attah said that before the start of the process, “NCS is advising all car owners in Nigeria that have not paid duty on their vehicles to do so’’.

“Once we start issuing the licence, any vehicle already in the country with no evidence of duty payment, will be liable to seizure and the owner will be prosecuted.

“We advise Nigerians to take advantage given to them within the one month to go to our zonal offices closest to them to pay. Even those who are not too sure of the Customs document in their possession—because some people may have ignorantly brought these vehicles with fake documents—they should go and verify.

“If they discover that what is in their possession is fake, they should just pay the duty.

“Immediately after the deadline, the NCS will embark on an aggressive anti-smuggling operation to arrest vehicle owners, seize the vehicles and prosecute the owners, ‘’ Attah said.
He said that “a smuggled vehicle is always a smuggled vehicle unless the appropriate duty is paid on it.”
According to him, the status of a smuggled vehicle never changed.
“The number of years of a smuggled vehicle does not change its status.
“We just advise that any person who knows that appropriate duty has not been paid on the vehicle he or she is using including motor dealers, who have collections of assorted cars in their car mart should go and pay duty, ‘’ Attah said.
-NAN

Sagay accuses NDDC, Customs of corruption

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee (PACAC) Prof. Itse Sagay, on Thursday in Abuja accused the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of being reckless with funds meant for development.

Sagay alleged that the commission recently bought 70 cars, including eight Super Lexus Jeeps at N78 million each and 10 Landcruisers each costing N63 million.

He said the vehicles were acquired with funds meant for the provision of water, housing, hospital, schools and infrastructure development in the Niger Delta region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sagay spoke at the opening of a two-day national dialogue on corruption organised by PACAC in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President.

“The cars were bought with money from funds meant for infrastructure, water, housing, hospital, schools, without conscience and without a thought for the wretched people of the Niger Delta.

“These huge sums were plundered from their allocations and yet the Managing Director was ironically complaining as reported by the Nation newspaper of Feb. 6, 2017 that the NDDC lacks funds to executive projects.

“The managing director also said that NDDC was in debt up to the tune of N1.2 trillion. What an irony.

“The recklessness with which public officers spend public funds is insensitive to the point of insanity. The level of insensitivity has become pathological.’’

Accordingly, Sagay took a swipe at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) saying nothing had changed since the current administration came on board in May 2015.

Sagay cited an instance with the Tin Can Island in Lagos, where he said customs officials now charge fees to physically examine goods following the breakdown of the scanner.

Describing it as brazen corruption, he said there were many other instances which PACAC brought to the attention of the Comptroller General during a recent visit to him.

Sagay decried public apathy to issues of corruption in the country, noting that the people’s attitude to corruption had become hardened, and that there was no longer any fear of consequence.

“Now, we need to ask ourselves what the problem really is. We are definitely overwhelmed by the epidemic of kleptomania. But do we also have a collective psychiatric problem?

“Why should a person loot what he cannot spend in 10 lifetimes, thereby exposing the rest of the population to misery, hunger, poverty and wretchedness.’’

Sagay also reflected on judicial corruption, saying some judges still grant adjournments running into months in contravention of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

He accused lawyers of contributing to the problem by using different delay tactics thereby causing the nation great embarrassment.

He said he had suggested to PACAC on the need to recruit a group of young lawyers to monitor court sittings and note issues of adjournments.

According to him, the reports sent by the monitors will be compiled and send to the National Judicial Council for appropriate action.

Sagay faulted the recent public demonstrations against the present administration, saying they were sponsored by those who lost elections and those whose appointments were not renewed.

Nigeria Customs & SON ‘Fight’ Over Clearance of Fake 2 Million Sub-standard Tyres

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday said products standards control is the responsibility of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), not the NCS.
The Acting Public Relations Officer, NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, made the clarification while reacting to the recent seizure of substandard tyres by SON in Lagos.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the function of customs was to collect duty and ensure that contraband did not enter the country.
Two Chinese men were caught for allegedly importing the substandard tyres worth over N5 billion in Lagos.
He said the organisation’s duty was not to determine quality but only to collect duty.
According to him, once an importer gets a clearance document, certifying an item okay by SON, customs would only collect duty and release such item.

“People who sometime ask question, need to know the function of customs and the function of other regulatory agencies. Before our men clear an item, a personnel of SON will be present to certify it okay.
“If the personnel out of negligence or did not carry out his duty properly and signed that the item is okay and cleared it, customs will collect duty and release such item because of SON clearance document.
“The issue of standard is in the hands of SON, customs only to collects duty so far that is not contraband.

“We are not in a position to determine quality, the job of determining quality is in the hand of SON and if it is a food item, the job of determining whether it is fit for human consumption is NAFDAC.
“So in this kind of situation, it is only when you trance the clearing document, you will know whether a personnel of SON is involved or not.
“There is no way customs will release containers of such tyres without a clearance certificate by the SON,’’ Attah said.

He said that during every examination of an item, if any importer got a clearance document signed by SON certifying such item okay and attached it to that of customs document, such item would be released after duty payment.
Attah cited an instance that if Garri was not prohibited and NAFDAC official signed an examination paper certifying it okay, once customs officials got evidence that NAFDAC had cleared it, duty would be collected and the wares released.
It was recalled that SON arrested two Chinese nationals, who were said to have imported substandard tyres.
-NAN

Targets N1.1 trillion Revenue in 2017

The management of the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, has set a revenue target of N1.1 trillion for 2017.

The Comptroller-General of the agency, Hameed Ali, made this known during a strategy meeting with Customs Area Controllers, CAC.

A statement released, Friday, by the agency’s spokesman, Joseph Attah, said the customs boss gave this directive while charging all the area controllers to ensure strict compliance with extant laws to enable it achieve its 2017 revenue target.

According to the statement, Mr. Ali said the Area Controllers must either “shape in or ship out” as there is no place for complacency in a Service that plays the crucial role of revenue collection and border security.

Harping on knowledge-based service delivery, Mr. Ali declared 2017 as a year of training and re-training, stressing that “ignorance will not be excuse for any officer as there will be refresher courses for officers in batches this year.”

The statement noted that at the meeting, Customs Area Controllers were charged to step up supervisory role on their subordinates; ensure tighter border security and block revenue leakages. They were equally urged to punish erring officers and promptly reward hardwork; and facilitate robust stakeholder engagement for mutual understanding.

Coming on the heels of recent seizures of 661 pump action rifles, the statement said that the meeting also underscored the need for the service to re-sharpen operational strategies for higher productivity.

You should wear customs uniform, senate tells Hameed Ali

The senate committee on customs and excise duties on Thursday told Hameed Ali to wear the uniform of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to show his designation as comptroller-general (CG).

The committee had summoned Ali to explain the reason for the promotion and the sacking of officers without the approval of a board.

Speaking at the session, Obinna Ogba, a senator from Ebonyi central, wondered why Ali would carry on the duties of CG in civilian attire.
“Mr CG, this committee will like to know the reason why you are still in mufti close to two years after your appointment as the comptroller-general of Nigeria Custom Service,” he asked.

In response, Ali explained that his reason for not wearing the uniform is because he is a retired army officer.

He said it was against military tradition for him to wear the uniform of another organisation.
His response irked Ogba, who said, “this is how you people keep deceiving Nigerians on wrong action and still defending it,” before exiting the session.

Also, Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the committee and senator from Imo west, faulted the decision of the customs boss to promote and fire officers without recourse to a board.

He said it was illegal of the CG to carry out such administrative assignments without a board in place.

But Ali blamed the ministry of finance for the delay in the constitution of a board for the NCS.

In response, Uzodinma assured him that the committee would send a letter to the ministry and other relevant bodies for the immediate constitution of the NCS board.

“You claimed that the minister of finance is the one delaying the composition of the board, this committee will write a letter straight away to the minister, secretary to the government of the federation and attorney general of federation to put the board in place without any further delay,” he said‎.

“We are releasing you to go and sew your uniform while we continue with officials of ministry of finance and Central Bank‎ of Nigeria (CBN).”

Wanted customs officers surrender to authorities.

The two customs officers who were declared wanted by the Nigeria Customs Service in connection with the 661 pump-action rifles recovered in the Mile 2 Apapa area of Lagos State, have surrendered to the authorities.
The PUNCH learnt that the suspects, Abdullahi I, with service number 44483 ASC, and Odiba Haruna Inah, with service number 133386 ACIC, submitted themselves to the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

Our correspondent had reported that the two men were declared wanted for allegedly clearing a container laden with 661 pump-action rifles.
It was learnt that the two officers had fled immediately the weapons were uncovered by customs officials attached to the FOU, Zone A, Ikeja.
A source said the men showed up at the FOU office on Wednesday, adding that they had been detained and were undergoing interrogation.
He said, “They have surrendered for arrest. They came today shortly after they were declared wanted. While one came in the morning, the other surrendered around 4pm. They have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing interrogation.”
The source explained that the importer, clearing agent, and escort, were also making useful statements, saying appropriate actions would be taken at the end of investigations.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the FOU, Ikeja, Jerry Attah, confirmed the surrender of the customs officials and the invitation of the shipping company.
He said investigations were ongoing into the incident.
Our correspondent gathered on Wednesday that the container, which came from China, was bound for the FESTAC Town area of Lagos State before they were intercepted.
A source, who saw the manifest of the container, said they were headed for FESTAC Town extension.