The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Customs boss

  • Customs boss begs CJ over attack on magistrate

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Ikeja has apologised to Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, over its officers’ attack on Magistrate Lekan Aka-Bashorun and members of his mobile court.

    A Ministry of Justice source told The Nation yesterday that the June 15 apology letter was sent to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through the Attorney-General for onward delivery to the chief judge.

    Some Customs officers with the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Ikeja, attacked Magistrate Aka-Bashorun for impounding their vehicles parked on the roadside.

    The apology letter reads: “We unequivocally condemn the attack in the strongest terms and hereby wish to apologise without reservations”. We assure you that the incident will not repeat itself.”The customs also promised to ensure the success of the mobile court saying it has taken steps to that effect by dismantling the car wash located near the FOU premises.

    Sources said the customs officers allegedly slapped Magistrate Aka-Bashorun, while two policemen and two paramilitary officials attached to the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, were also beaten up.

    Court exhibits and recording gadgets were also allegedly damaged by the customs officers, who reportedly questioned the magistrate’s authority to impound their cars.

    The officers were said to have forcefully removed the number-plates of the impounded vehicles.

    FOU spokesman, Ejesieme Uche, confirmed the clash, but said the heads of the NCS and police had resolved the matter.

    He said it was an unfortunate incident between “some of our operatives and the security men attached to the Lagos State Mobile Court. The security men came for an operation around our vicinity.  We were accused of slapping a magistrate. I am not confirming or debunking that, but in that situation, the magistrate did not wear uniform, so no one could identify him.  But the heads of the security agencies have met and the matter has been resolved.”

     

  • Customs boss seeks support from seaport economic regulator on cargo declaration

    Customs boss seeks support from seaport economic regulator on cargo declaration

    The new Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col Hameed Ali (rtd), yesterday paid a working visit to the seaport economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, where he sought the support of the regulator in the area of cargo declaration by importers and their clearing agents.

    Ali, who said he realised that there are many agencies in the maritime sector, specifically stated that the creation of a synergy between the Customs and Shippers Council has become necessary in order to arrest high-level under-declaration by shippers.

    “I have seen that 75 per cent of revenue comes from the maritime sector. It is a necessity that we must create an avenue, a forum for synergy and for friendship so that we move this nation forward.

    “We have set machinery in motion to iron out these issues, but let me mention here that many times, manifests come to us with a lot of problems. Some of them don’t contain exact descriptions of goods.

    “This is one area we are finding a little difficulty to work. We need to create an understanding to further cement the bond between us for everyday interaction. We will be very glad to be of assistance to the council,” Ali said.

    In his response, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, said lack of collaboration between maritime agencies has been the bane of development of the sector.

    “The current under achievement in maritime is largely due to uncoordinated activities of the agencies. With you in charge, we believe this will change. It is a myriad of responsibilities for the agencies that makes the functions overlap,” he said.

    In a presentation, Bello intimated the Customs boss with the activities of the council and its role as the seaport economic regulator.

    He said as an agent for economic development, the council has observed that the high cost of shipment increases the cost to the consumer.

    “The cargo is very important but the owner of the cargo is not protected in the system that sees the service providers- terminal operator, shipping lines and insurance companies as the giant factors.

    “So we are to ensure efficient and timely delivery of shipping services under a favourable cost input.”