The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seizes

  • SON seizes substandard electrical products

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has seized substandard electrical products worth billions of naira at a warehouse  in Okokomaiko, Lagos.

    Its Director-General, Mr. Osita Aboloma, told reporters that the items owned by a Chinese were also labelled with a forged SON registration identity. They included electrical switches, sockets, energy saving bulbs, street lamps, rechargeable fans and lamp holders, among others.

    Aboloma said the importer could not tender any document to back the importation nor could he provide a certification from SON (SONCAP).

    Aboloma, who was represented by Mr. Suleiman Isa, head, Market Surveillance, said the fake products were found by its Surveillance Unit 111.

    Aboloma added that SON had to confiscate the products after efforts  by the owner to show proof and certification failed.

    “The owner was invited to our office to show proof of importation and certification by SON, but the owner refused to show up. That is why we are here today. We have seized all the products because they have very funny labels. We have also seen some of the products with SON logo, which is not our official logo. That means the products were illegally brought in,” Aboloma said.

    Aboloma urged the public to look at products carefully before purchase, especially the expiry date, SONCAP logo and if the seal was tampered with.

    The agency’s state Coordinator, Lagos Office III, Mrs. Ngozi Ekwueme, said the warehouse would remain sealed until investigation on how the products entered into the country was concluded.

    A senior staff member of the company said he could not speak for the importer.

    In another development, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Chairman Chief Kola Jamodu has lamented the continued influx of fake  products into the market, urging the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to  curtail the scourge.

    He spoke in Lagos at the presentation of International Organisation for Standardisation’s ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certificates to the company for its Ikorodu and Aba factories, by SON’s Director-General Dr. Osita Aboloma.

    ISO 9001:2015 QMS is the latest version that replaced the ISO 9001:2008, and PZ Cussons is the first manufacturing company in the country to achieve the certification after a year of rigorous audits of its manufacturing processes across factories.

    Jamodu commended the SON chief, asking him to sustain the heat on importers of fake and sub-standard products. He stressed that indigenous manufacturers needed to be protected. He urged SON  to stop  the influx of fake and substandard products.

    He commended the standards body for having put the ISO 9001:2015 in place, stressing “we have continuously made self-regulation our target and we are, therefore, pleased to be the first Nigerian company to achieve the certification.”

    Aboloma said: “The agency is determined to see that SON does not only seize substandard products but that those behind it are prosecuted.”

    He lauded PZ Cusson’s achievement, saying: “By this feat, the company has joined a privileged class of ISO 9001:2015 QMS certified organisations and a trail blazer for other manufacturers to follow on the requirements for this standards.”

  • Customs seizes hundreds of bags of rice in Oyo

    Customs seizes hundreds of bags of rice in Oyo

    Three suspected smugglers were yesterday arrested by the Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

    Nurudeen Owoiya, Adegboyega Kehinde and Saidi Tenibegiloju “concealed scores of bags of rice under live cows and planks”.

    Two others were said to have escaped into a bush.

    Also seized were three DAF trucks and one Mercedes truck registered as SH 81 XA, APP 529 XD, LSR 856 XG and FST 96 XR.

    Concealed under the trucks, which were displayed at the Bodija, Ibadan Headquarters of the Command yesterday were hundreds of bags of rice, some of which were hidden under live cows and wooden planks.

    The Acting Customs Area Controller, Abdulsalam Hassan, said: “The command has generated about N12 billion from January to October.

    “A total of 154 seizures were made and duty paid value estimated at N380 million.

    “One of the trucks was intercepted on the Isheyi-Ibadan Road on November 2.

    The vehicle impounded loaded 393 (50kg) bags of rice and seven loose bags concealed with tubers of yam.

    “On November 6, 400 (50kg) bags of rice were also impounded on the Saki-Ago Are Road.

    “Another truck registered as LSR 856 XG was impounded on the Saki- Iseyin Road loaded with bags of rice and concealed with planks. The driver and the passenger are at large.

    “The third truck was traced by the command from the Ilesah -Baruba axis and was impounded on the Saki-Oyo Road.

    “It was loaded with rice and concealed with live cows. The number of the bags is yet to be ascertained.”

     

  • Customs seizes N1b goods in Imo

    Customs seizes N1b goods in Imo

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ in Owerri, the Imo State capital, seized over N1 billion worth of goods in six months.

    Its Area Controller, David Dimka said the unit seized 226 contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1, 016,833,292 and arrested 129 suspects between January and last month.

    About 118 cases against smugglers, he said, were pending in the courts.

    Findings revealed that in March, the unit recorded 63 seizures with a DPV of N337,368, 522.

    This, according to Dimka, was the highest seizure by the unit in a month with 25 suspects held.

    He said 37 seizures with a DPV of N176,483,600 were made in January; 40 with DPV of N136,708,650 in February; 37 with DPV of N83,302,620 in April; 42 with DPV of N141,228,100 in May and 47 seizures with DPV of N138, 341,400 last month.

    The items seized included 210 vehicles, furniture and 296 bales of fairly used bags and suitcases worth N456,704,500; N101,805,700; N19,584,000; and N30,143,400.

    Others, according to him, are 3,905 pieces of used tyres worth N53,502,100; 2,126 cartons of imported frozen poultry products worth N30,566,804; 1,731 bags of 50kg rice worth of N35,678,600; beverages and juice worth #72,000.

    Dimka said 2,686 pieces of used footwear estimated at N6,253,800; 37 cartons of foreign soap/detergents with 202 cartons of foreign vegetable oil worth N6,874,020 were seized from smugglers.

    Other goods seized by the unit included electrical and electronics parts, used fridges, compressors and machinery that were used to conceal smuggled items worth N303,391,772.

    The NCS chief attributed the massive seizures in March to a stronger quest for materialism by the suspects.

    The Customs Area Controller also expressed concern over the persistent cases of smuggling despite the stiff penalties for those arrested.

    Dimka appealed to the public for their cooperation and support in the war against smuggling, assuring that the NCS men were better trained and equipped to meet its challenges.

    He praised the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Abdullahi Dikko for his support to men of the NCS, noting that these have strengthened his men’s commitment in the fight against smugglers.

     

  • Customs seizes N1.3m Indian hemp

    Customs seizes N1.3m Indian hemp

    The Headquarters Monitoring Team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Axis, has intercepted a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla car along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The car was laden with three sacks of substances suspected to be Indian hemp estimated at about N1.3 million, The Nation learnt.

    Following a tip-off, the patrol team, led by Yahaya Usman, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC), trailed the vehicle to a low-risk area before interception to avert any operational hiccup.

    The team’s leader expressed deep satisfaction with the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko and his management for their support and the confidence reposed in his team.

    Usman said since inception, the team has contributed immensely to the seizure profile of the service to justify the essence of its creation.

    He added that the collaboration and synergy which his team receives from the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DCC) Turaki Usman Adamu, had been overwhelming.

    He vowed to remain committed to the anti-smuggling efforts of the NCS and promised to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government’s fiscal policy on trade and commerce.

    Usman urged the public to give the team useful information that would assist their operations.

    “Smuggling, just like scavenging, is a global menace and the NCS will continually be at the vanguard of ensuring its drastic suppression in line with its statutory obligations and extant laws,” he said.

  • Community seizes Chevron’s facility

    Community seizes Chevron’s facility

    Koluama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State barricaded yesterday an oil facility belonging to Chevron.

    It was gathered that youths and elders relocated to the facility in the morning, demanding compensation for the January 16, 2012 explosion of KS Endeavour, a gas rig operated by Chevron.

    The incident led to the death of some of the company’s workers and caused gas leak.

    A member of Chevron cluster group, the KEFFES Board, Seleipre Matthew, said the community took over the facility in the morning.

    He said the action was taken after the community waited in vain for Chevron to compensate them for the explosion.

    Seleipre said the facility seized by the protesters is located offshore Koluama, 30 metres from the exploded oil rig.

  • ICPC seizes 372 passports from visa racketeers

    ICPC seizes 372 passports from visa racketeers

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it has seized 372 international passports from visa racketeers.

    The commission said the recovery was part of a clampdown on corrupt processes in the acquisition of visas.

    A statement in Abuja by its Resident Consultant (Media and Events), Mr. Folu Olamiti, said ICPC initiated the arrests after receiving complaints from visa racket victims.

    The statement said: “ICPC initiated several arrests after receiving petitions from prospective students seeking educational placement and patients seeking medical attention abroad, who were duped by some agents.

    “…ICPC issued a ‘Visa Scam Press Advisory’ last year, warning intending travellers of the consequences of patronising and using dubious travel agents and touts to obtain visas.

    “Travellers were further advised to use verifiable documents and to deal only with official and registered travel and appropriate government agencies.

    “ICPC is delighted that these investigations and arrests have led to significant changes in visa administration by respective government departments, travel agencies, embassies and travellers.

    “The commission has directed owners of the recovered passports to appear at its headquarters on Plot 802 Constitution Avenue, Zone A9, Central Business District Area, Abuja, between February 19 and 28, from 10am to 3pm each day, excluding weekends.

    “The affected persons are to come with proof of ownership and the travel documents supporting their visa applications.

    “…ICPC operatives, in October arrested 18 suspects in Abuja and Lagos. Three of them were allegedly involved in the production of fake documents to satisfy visa requirements, while one possessed suspicious travel documents.

    “The rest were either arrested with forged public documents or for allegedly colluding with someone in India to procure fake invitation letters from an Indian hospital. Culpable ones have since been arraigned in courts.”

     

  • SON seizes N20m fake fabrics

    In a renewed bid to revamp the textile industry and ensure standards, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), at the weekend, seized over N20 million worth of sub-standard textile products in markets across Lagos State.

    The seizure, according to the Head of Department, Inspectorate and Compliance, SON, Mr Bede Obayi, is a declaration of war on the saboteurs of the Nigerian market.

    Obayi, who said the action is in line with the Federal Government’s agenda to revamp the textile sector, said most of the textile firms in the country had gone moribund not because of negligence, but because of inferior products in the markets.

    Obayi, who led a sanitation in the markets, said some of the products, though produced in Nigeria, are taken outside the country by unscrupulous Nigerians who connive with foreigners to clone them and bring to Nigeria under same product name, but inferior and cheaply sold.

    He said: “Look at Daviva and Excellence; most Nigerians don’t know that they are made in Nigeria because they have been cloned by dubious people who go abroad, make inferior ones and return to Nigeria under same producer-name, thus running the local industry aground.

    “SON will get to the root of the matter. We will find the smugglers’ route, locate and fish out the main culprits, seize and destroy the textile fabrics because the fight against substandard products has started.”

    Obayi urged Nigerians to always check for NIS trademark before buying any product, adding that any product that fails to meet Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) would be removed from the market.

    Obayi noted that quality should be maintained based on the prescribed standard and should not be lowered based on any factor, if it is to be allowed in the Nigerian market.

    He urged Nigerians to avoid patronising substandard goods to improve the nation’s economy.

  • Customs seizes N315m textiles, rice

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Command, has seized trucks of textile materials, bags of rice and fairly-used cars with duty paid value of over N315 million.

    The seizures were made by the officers of the command, who were said to have intercepted the goods in Saki and Iseyin in Oyo State.

    Briefing reporters yesterday, the Customs Area Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Command, Mr. Richard Oteri, said the essence in displaying the seized items was to inform the public of the activities and showcase the results of intensified efforts in anti-smuggling.

    He said in the last three months, the command had recorded 181 seizures, comprising used cars, trucks and buses loaded with used tyres, vegetable oil, textiles, African prints and other prohibited items.

    “We, in Oyo/Osun Command have intensified our efforts and the result is what you are about to see here. For the past three months, we have seized 3,263 bags of rice. The vehicle you are seeing here was impounded at Iseyin. It was carrying 410 bags of rice smuggled into the country. The other vehicle was confiscated at Saki. It was carrying 380 bags of rice. We have a lot in the warehouse. I will take you round to see them as soon as we are through here, so that you can see the efforts we have made so far to stop illegal business activities.

    “The command has embarked on a re-orientation and sensitisation campaign on the need to pay duties on imported motor vehicles, which so far has led to increase in the volume of vehicles brought in for duty payment,” the Comptroller said.

    He advised those engaged in smuggling to stop the act.

    Said he: “The recalcitrant ones, who insist on engaging in smuggling, should be advised that they would not escape the long arm of the law.”

  • Okonjo-Iweala seizes N100b constituency cash

    Okonjo-Iweala seizes N100b constituency cash

    LAWMAKERS are angry with Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala over the non-release of the N100billion constituency projects vote, it was learnt yesterday.

    They have also resolved not to effect any amendment to the 2013 budget, unless the votes are released.

    Besides, members of the National Assembly are unhappy with President Goodluck Jonathan for giving an unconstitutional role of Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy to the minister.

    They alleged that the role has made every decision, especially the release of funds, to go through Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s table.

    But, a source close to the minister denied last night that she was holding back funds for constituency projects.

    Although constituency projects are to be executed by the Ministry of Special Duties, the legislators are unhappy that the first and second quarter allocations for the projects have not been released.

    According to a source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not directed to talk to the media, the minister has been withholding the funds as a precondition for fast-tracking the amendment to the 2013 budget.

    The source said: “We are all angry that after bending backwards to pass the 2013 budget, the minister has refused to release the votes for constituency projects.

    “She knows we are passionate about constituency projects, but she has tied the release of funds for these projects to amendment to 2013 budget.

    “We are already in July; the Minister has not approved the release of first and second quarters budgetary allocations for constituency projects.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “What we did this year in terms of constituency projects is to identify what 109 Senatorial districts and 360 Federal constituencies need and we passed these projects to the Executive for implementation.”

    The projects are expected to be implemented by the Ministry of Special Duties. The lawmakers have nothing to do with either the award of contracts for the projects or the choice of contractors, it was learnt.

    A senator spoke of how members of the National Assembly have been inundated with complaints about the delay in releasing funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). “The system is just unnecessarily being slowed down,” he said, also asking for anonymity.

    According to a principal officer of the National Assembly, the lawmakers have decided to shun the amendment to the 2013 budget, unless the minister releases funds to the Ministry of Special Duties for constituency projects.

    “These projects have direct bearing on Nigerians, but funds are not being released as budgeted for. No member of the National Assembly is happy because we need concrete and people-oriented projects to justify our election,” the officer said, adding:

    “These are projects the Executive never thought of but which are essential to Nigerians. None of the funds is coming into our pockets because the Executive will implement the projects.”

    A source at the Ministry of Finance, however, told The Nation yesterday that the issue of N100bn Constituency Ptoject Fund has been a tradition under the Yar’Adua administration and it has continued with the Jonathan tenure. He said the fund has been released and that it is under the supervision of a minister who oversees the implementation of the projects.

    The source said the dispute over the budget has to do with the N72bn that was removed from the budget, noting that this could result in the inability to pay certain category of civil servants by Spetember, if the money is not returned to the budget.

    He said: “That is not true. We have no problem with the N100bn set aside for Constituency Projects because that has been the tradition since the Yar’Adua administration. I believe that money has been released even if we may have some issues about implementation. You should be aware that a minister is in charge of that fund and the projects. The Minister of Finance has no problem with the release of the fund at all”

  • Alleged N700m fraud: EFCC seizes 44 assets from eight suspects

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized 44 assets from eight suspects who “defrauded” Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN)of about N700million. The seizure followed an interim order secured by the commission.

    Also, the commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Inspector General of the Global Fund to facilitate exchange of information on fraud and abuse of office in relation to grant programs

    According to a statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, a Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State asked the anti-graft agency to take over the assets.

    The statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received an interim order from Justice F.A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, Abia State, to take possession of 44 assets of the eight persons who allegedly defrauded Union Bank of Nigeria Plc of about N700million.

    “The order also covers the freezing of the account of one of the accused person with a credit balance of N30million.

    “The eight accused are Chikezie Neoma Agbara, Amarachi Iroha, Lucy Nwosu and Glo Chizzy International Limited. Others are Nneamaka Raphael Iheabuchi, Nnamdi Nwosu, Ikechukwu Nwosu, Chukwu Chikezie and Oliver Ogbujie.

    “The accused were arraigned in two separate charges that border on criminal conspiracy, stealing by fraudulent conversion, money laundering and fraud to the tune of about N700million.

    “The EFCC had on January 4, 2013 sought the leave of the court to seize their assets – in line with Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

    Section 28 reads: “Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.”

    Justice Olubanjo, in granting the interim forfeiture request ordered as follows, “That all assets as listed in schedule 1 to 5 of the ex-parte originating summons being proceeds of economic and financial crimes held directly by or for the benefit of or on behalf of the persons named in Schedule 1 to 5 of this ex-parte originating summons be temporarily attached pending the conclusion of trial in charge Nos. FHC/UM/CR/30/2012-FRN VS. Chikezie Neoma Agbara and 3 others; and FHC/UM/CR/77/2012-FRN vs. Chikezie Neoma Agbara and 6 others”

    “The Judge also ordered the manager or “ such other person in control of the financial institution in schedule 6 of this ex-parte originating summons i.e. Zenith Bank Plc, to freeze all accounts held directly, indirectly, by or for the benefit, and on behalf of one Oliver Ogbujie within Nigeria more particularly account No. 2006909505.”

    The commission gave a breakdown of the affected choice mansions.

    The statement added: A breakdown of the assets affected by this order is as follows: A four bedroom apartment at World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia; twin two bedroom apartment at Amakama, Umuahia; one storey building of four flats at Umudike, Umuahia; an undeveloped plot of land at Government Station layout, Umuahia; another undeveloped parcel of land at Udume Ibeku Umuahia North Local Government Area; uncompleted Hotel project at Winners Road, near House of Assembly Complex, Umuahia; a 2002 ModelToyota Camry and 2002 Model Toyota Corolla cars – all belonging to Chikezie Agbara

    “The property belonging to Nneamaka Raphael Ibeabuchi include, five bedroom duplex with two rooms Boys Quarters at Umuagoro, Umudike, Umauhia; a block of five self-contained students Hostel at Umuagoro, Umudike, Umauhia; 3-bedroom bungalow at Plot UM/964, Health Centre Road, World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, among other assets.

    “Assets belonging to Nnamdi Nwosu include, one storey uncompleted block of 16-room students residential apartment at Unuahu/ Ofeke Ndum Ibeku, Umudeke Umuahia. A parcel of land at Umuohu Azueke, Umudike, Umuahia belonging to Ikechukwu Nwosu was also attached.

    Meanwhile, EFCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Office of the Inspector General of the Global Fund to facilitate exchange of information on fraud and abuse of office in relation to grant programs managed by the Global Fund targeted at fighting Tuberculosis and Malaria in Nigeria.

    A separate statement by the commission said: “Under the MoU which was signed on behalf of the Fund and the Commission by the Head of the office of the Inspector General, Global Fund, Norbert Hauser, and the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, respectively, both parties will cooperate by providing information and intelligence to each other, which may help in the investigation and prosecution of anyone suspected of engaging in fraud and abuse of Global Fund grant funds and related criminal activity.

    “Terms of the agreement stipulate that both parties will consult regularly, in particular to exchange information regarding new areas of potential cooperation and other joint activities falling within their respective mandates. All information exchanged will be treated as strictly confidential.

    “The Memorandum stipulates that any information exchanged will not be used as evidence in any judicial proceedings without the express prior consent of the party providing that information.