News

Customs Makes Giant Strides, Intercepts N1.4bn Worth Contraband in 112 Seizures, Arrests 12 in Four Weeks

Published

7 years ago

June 14, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has again recorded another giant stride in its efforts to checkmate smugglers and across border crime with the interception of various contraband, goods and vehicles with a duty paid value of One Billion, Three Hundred and Forty Five Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirteen Naira, (N1,345,572,313) with four weeks spanning the period May 16 to June 12, 2018.

This was revealed by the Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Comptroller Mohammed Uba during a press briefing in Lagos.

Uba noted that the seizures were made possible as a result of the reinvigorated efforts of the unit towards anti-smuggling, adding that in the same vein, a total of Fifty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Three Naira, Twenty Five kobo (N59,506,773.25) from underpayments were also recovered.

This brings to a cumulative of One Billion, Four Hundred and Five Million, Seventy Nine Thousand, Eighty Six Naira only (N1,405,079,086) intercepted within the weeks under review.

Among the items in the 112 seizures by the unit, according to the Controller, are 15 Exotic vehicles including 3 Toyota C-HR (2018 models), 1 Toyota Camry LE (2018), 1 Toyota Prado (2018), 1 Toyota Hilux (2017), 1 Ford F150 (2017), 1 Pajero Jeep (2017), 1 Mercedes Benz (2017) among others.

In addition, there are 9,049 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 15 trailers, 1,464 cartons of frozen poultry products, 870 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 273 bales of used clothing, 592 pieces of used tyres, among others.

Uba stressed that four containers with no: PCIU850134/9, PCIU8278544, FCIU983753 and TGHU6924330 were also seized for false declaration while a total of 12 suspects were arrested.

Speaking further, Comptroller Uba informed that the unit has re-strategized its operational modalities, beaming its searchlights along waterways. This he said was responsible for the massive rice seizure within the period.

While promising the continue to make life unbearable for smugglers and those who chose to live by criminal means, Uba expressed his gratitude to the Controller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) tor his leadership roles and logistic support, men and officers of FOU Zone A, for staking the lives in the fight against smuggling and smugglers and the press, who had been in the forefront of sensitising the public.

“Their resilience and doggedness is highly commendable,” he said.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.