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Tag: Customs

  • Customs hands over N704.5m worth of hemp to NDLEA

    Customs hands over N704.5m worth of hemp to NDLEA

    The Western Marine Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 1.7 million wraps of hemp it seized to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.

    Handing over the seizures to NDLEA in Lagos on Monday, the Customs Controller of the Western Marine Command, Odaudu Salefu, said that the hemp was worth N704.5 million.

    “The 1266,120 wrapped of cannabis contained in 120 bags and is hereby handed over to NDLEA today.

    “The cannabis are seized in three different operations at Jegemo Island, opposite Iworo Ajido Waterfront and Asipa Beach along Seme borders on the 29th of November, 2023, 24th of December, 2023, and 19th of January, 2024.

    “After we got the intelligence, our officers sail into the  water Jegemo Island at 2:00 a.m. and they took to their heels, while we intercepted the cannabis including their boats and three engine pump.

    “The CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has directed the Western Marine Command to hand over a total of 120 sacks containing 10,551 loaves of cannabis sativa with a total value of  704,518,000 to Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further agency action.

    “Today’s event is a product of the hard work, dedication and bravery of my officers, who have worked with diligence and integrity to puncture the reign of smugglers of these hard drugs,” Salefu said.

    The customs controller said that the Western Marine Command of Nigerian Customs Service was the flagship Marine Command of the Service.

    According to him, the command is one of the four Marine Commands of Nigeria Customs Service, charged with the responsibility of securing the Western Waterways against smuggling activities and unwholesome trade practices.

    Salefu said that the command also facilitated legitimate trades in its area of responsibility that run across three states in Western Nigeria, which include Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states.

    Salefu emphasised the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the NCS and NDLEA to enhance cooperation in addressing drug trafficking at Nigeria’s entry and exit points.

    He attributed the successful seizure  to the command’s extensive intelligence network and collaborative efforts.

    Salefu reiterated the commitment of the Western Marine Command to protecting the nation’s economic interests by partnering with other agencies.

    He urged citizens to refrain from engaging in illegal cross-border trade due to its detrimental effects on the economy and public health.

    Upon receiving the seized hemp, Mr. Paul Ahom, the Narcotic Commander of the NDLEA, emphasised the collective responsibility in combating drug trafficking.

    He acknowledged the customs officers’ effort in intercepting the drugs and expressed readiness for further collaboration to tackle smuggling activities effectively.

    Ahom thanked the Director-General of NDLEA, Buba  Maruwa in ensuring menace of illicit drugs was reduced while seeking more collaboration to end it as it endangers the lives of the youth in the society.

  • Hardship: Customs suspends distribution of rice over stampede in Lagos

    Hardship: Customs suspends distribution of rice over stampede in Lagos

    The Nigeria Customs Service on Monday announced that it has suspended the sale and distribution of seized raw rice to Nigerians.

    This is coming following a stampede that claimed lives at Nigeria Customs Service Old Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State, on Friday.

    Customs had started putting up 25jk of rice at 10,000 and a lot of Nigerians were rushing to their Yaba office to key into it.

    This was made known in a statement on Monday by Abdullahi Maiwada, a spokesperson for Customs.

    It would be recalled that Customs had on February 20, 2024 said it would dispose seized food items to cushion the hardship in the country.

    “Considering the recent unfortunate event, we regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, 23 February 2024,” Nigeria Customs, however, announced on Monday.

    “This should help us to properly articulate more robust and comprehensive action that will not defeat the noble intention,” the statement partly reads.

  • Customs CG approves appointment of 6 management staff

    Customs CG approves appointment of 6 management staff

    The Comptroller General(CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the appointment of two management staff and the redeployment of four others within the service.

    The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Adeniyi said that the appointments of the Deputy Comptrollers General (DCG) and Assistant Comptrollers General (ACG) were part of efforts to reinvigorate the service for efficient service delivery and in response to recent retirements.

    He said that the appointment of the two management staff, who were in acting capacity, and the deployment of the four others were aimed at fortifying strategic operations and optimising service delivery across various departments.

    “The newly appointed management members are poised to steer the NCS towards enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

    “Their diverse expertise and proven track records are expected to inject fresh momentum into critical areas such as revenue generation, anti-smuggling, and trade facilitation, “ he said.

    The customs boss commended the appointees for their good track record of duty and urged them to embrace their new roles with renewed commitment.

    He emphasised the pivotal role of the NCS in advancing national interests and urged the appointees to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service delivery.

    He reiterated the service commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic interests, fostering international trade, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.

    The CG assured that the strategic reinforcement of the service leadership was aimed at navigating evolving challenges and taking advantage of opportunities for growth and development.

    The new appointees include: J.P. Ajoku, DCG Strategic Research and Policy; B.M. Jibo, Ag. DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentives; I.Q. Ogbudu, ACG Excise, Free Trade Zone, and Industrial Incentives.

    Others are I.O. Babalola, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘B’; H.J. Swomen, ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ and F.A. Abdulazeez, Ag. ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’.

  • Hardship: Customs to commence distribution of seized food items to Nigerians today

    Hardship: Customs to commence distribution of seized food items to Nigerians today

    Adewale Adeniyi the Comptroller General of Customs, has said that the distribution of seized food items would commence on Friday, (today)

    The CGC of Customs while addressing journalists on Thursday in Lagos warned Nigerians against reselling the distributed seized food items

    Adeniyi also warned that customs officers were banned from partaking in the exercise, adding that the rice would come in 25kg, which would be sold for N10,000.

    Recall that the NCS said it had concluded plans to commence the direct distribution of seized food items to Nigerians.

    The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    Giving an update on the criteria, Adeniyi said, eligible persons must provide a Nigerian Identification Number.

    “The target groups included artisans, teachers, nurses, religious bodies, and other Nigerians within our operational areas. The intention is to reach out directly to members through these organised structures to ensure the maximum impact of this exercise,” Adeniyi added.

  • Reps query Customs over non-submission of 3 years audited financial statement

    Reps query Customs over non-submission of 3 years audited financial statement

    The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has queried the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over non-submission of audited financial statements for the 2016 to 2018 financial years to the Auditor General of the Federation.

    This came to the fore at the hearing of the committee led by Rep. Bamidele Salam in Abuja.

    The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale  Adeniyi, who appeared with his lieutenants was questioned over queries raised by the Auditor General of the Federation on the 2017 audited report.

    The queries include: under-remittance of revenue into the federation account for the year 2017, under-disclosure of outstanding remittance for the year 2016

    Others include: non-maintenance of bank statements and bank reconciliation statements, non-maintenance of revenue collectors receipt, violation of E-payment policy of the federal government.

    The query also include: non-submission of audited financial statements for 2016,2017 and 2018 financial years”

    Adeniyi responded to the queries that only Common External Tariff was remitted into the federation account by the Office of the Accountant General for the Federation.

    He added that others that were active remitted into the Non-Federation Account, stressing that since the inception of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Area commands do not maintain accounts with commercial banks

    He added that all accounts were closed and the revenue collected remitted directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the statements were accessed at the customs headquarters through CBN’s Transaction Query System(TQS).

    Documents submitted to the committee by the CGC however revealed that the audited financial statements for 2016, 2017, and 2018 financial years were presented to the Auditor General for Federation in 2021.

    The chairman of the committee directed the Auditor General to present documents on other queries raised against the commission.

  • Bullion van impounded with N24 million inside returned to owners

    Bullion van impounded with N24 million inside returned to owners

    The Ogun Area Command II of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said it has released a bullion van the Service impounded with the sum of N24.4 million inside.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the bullion van was impounded in April 2022 after it was found loaded with 12 50kg bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice.

    According to the Customs Area Controller, Olusola Alade, the bullion van was discovered to belong to an Abeokuta branch of Access Bank.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, Alade disclosed the money and the van, which has the registration number FKJ 993 BZ, have now been handed over to officials of Bankers Warehouse Ltd. and Access Bank in Abeokuta.

    “The bullion van belongs to Bankers Warehouse and was impounded on April 22, 2022 by a joint border patrol team along the Sokoto-ljoun/Joga road in the Abeokuta axis.

    “The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has now ordered the release of the bullion van and the money to both the Bankers Warehouse and Access Bank on compassionate ground after investigation,” Alade said.

    The Area Controller added that three suspects were arrested and charged to court in connection with the crime.

    “The seized foreign parboiled rice which were 12 bags of 50kg each were carefully concealed in the said vehicle.

    “Consequently, the said vehicle and the items were conveyed to the Customs House in Abeokuta for safekeeping.

    “After conducting examination on the vehicle, the said amount of money was discovered and deposited at the Abeokuta branch of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safekeeping.

    “The vehicle was detained while the rice was converted to seizure in line with Section 168 of Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

    “In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail and subsequently charged to court for aiding smuggling,” he explained.

    Alade added that the Bankers Warehouse Ltd and Access Bank later wrote an appeal letter to the Customs’ Comptroller-General for the release of both the van and money on compassionate ground.

    “This was in a bid to retrieve the detained van and the money, and based on the outcome of investigation and recommendations of the Investigation Unit of the NCS, the Comptroller-General granted an approval for the release of the detained van and the money.

    “This is in line with the provision of section 248 (1) and (2) of NCS Act, 2023,” he said.

  • How we will achieve N5.1 trillion revenue target – Customs

    How we will achieve N5.1 trillion revenue target – Customs

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it cannot afford to disappoint the country in realising its N5 trillion revenue target for 2024.

    Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said this shortly after decorating some promoted officers of the service on Thursday, in Abuja.

    Adeniyi stressed that achieving the revenue target of N5 trillion was feasible with the cooperation of the service key stakeholders and the dedication of its staff.

    While urging the personnel to assiduously work hard to meet the target, the Customs CG noted the country was confronting daunting challenges and needed the support of everyone to overcome and move the economy forward.

    He solicited the support of the National Assembly, specifically committees responsible for oversight functions on the service, in the discharge of duties and achieving the feat.

    “We have a country, where economic operators, importers, exporters, depend a lot on our processes, on our commitment and on our efficiency for their own business.

    “We cannot afford to disappoint these stakeholders. We cannot afford to disappoint the economy.

    “We cannot afford to disappoint the president who has given us this opportunity and special privilege to be in charge of this critical aspect of our economic development,” Adeniyi said,

    He charged the decorated officers to drive the process as some of its finest personnel, especially as some of them were beneficiaries of the service’s special promotion scheme for  excellent performances of duties.

    “My charge to all officers and men of the Nigeria customs service in 2024 is to realise the burden put on our shoulder and work assiduously together as a team to realise  the mandate before us,” he said.

    According to him, promotion assessment in the service would be continually reviewed for improvement.

    He added that the promotion of the officers was a demonstration of his commitment to motivate staff and improve on their welfare.

    “What we have just seen is an indication of our strong commitment to promoting issues of welfare and career progression among all our officers,” he said.

    Responding on behalf of the decorated officers, Assistant Comptroller Ify Ogbodu assured the C-G of working hard to deliver the mandate of the service, particularly in enhancing service delivery, professionalism, diligence and adhering to principles of integrity.

    Recall Adeniyi at the budget defence for 2024 had told the legislators that the customs revenue target for 2023 was N3.684 trillion but that only N2.959 trillion had been generated.

  • Nigerian Customs probes officer soliciting 5k bribe at Lagos airport

    Nigerian Customs probes officer soliciting 5k bribe at Lagos airport

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced investigation into an incident at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, where an officer was observed soliciting N5,000 bribe from a passenger.

    The National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to Maiwada, this behaviour has rightfully raised public concern, and they are committed to ensuring full accountability.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident transpired at New Terminal, within the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, and was captured on video by the involved passenger.

    “The recording reveals an inappropriate request for N5,000 in exchange for expeditious processing of customs procedures.

    “We wish to confirm that the officer implicated is indeed a member of the Nigeria Customs Service, properly assigned to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Area Command,” he said.

    Maiwada noted that the NCS strongly condemns this unprofessional conduct and was dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

    “A comprehensive investigation is underway to scrutinise the incident thoroughly, and appropriate actions will be taken.

    “Such behaviour is entirely inconsistent with the core values of our service, and we are resolute in maintaining a transparent and accountable customs operation,” he said.

    Maiwada encouraged passengers and the public to report any instances of misconduct or corruption promptly.

    He said these reports are crucial in upholding the integrity of the service and ensuring that officers adhere to the highest ethical standards.

    “The NCS is unwavering in its commitment to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

    “The outcome of the investigation will be communicated to the public at the earliest opportunity,” he said.

  • 2024 Budget: Customs, NUPRC get additional revenue target to N6trn

    2024 Budget: Customs, NUPRC get additional revenue target to N6trn

    Some revenue-generating agencies on Monday appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, affirming their commitment to surpass the revenue projections in the 2024 budget proposal.

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) appeared before the committee and expressed readiness to increase the revenue target.

    President Bola Tinubu, last month, presented a N27.5 trillion budget to the joint session of the National Assembly. The budget contained a projected revenue of N18 trillion.

    However, the Committee on Appropriations has consistently maintained that government-owned enterprises (GOEs) should generate more revenue than what is projected in the budget proposal.

    Nigerian customs

    The Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi, while addressing the lawmakers, said the NSC has a projected N5 trillion in revenue.

    However, the Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Bichi (APC, Kano), said NSC should be able to increase its revenue target.

    “Is there any possibility to increase your target in 2024? Because I said earlier, we need more revenue and you have done very well in 2023, you have almost 90 per cent,” Mr Bichi said.

    Responding to the request by the committee, Mr Adeniyi said NSC can generate an additional N1trillion if the government lifts the suspension of duty on single-use plastic and increase the duty on alcohol and tobacco.

    “We are targeting N5 trillion but it is not impossible for us to make N6 trillion if some of the issues around the operating environment are talked about. If we are able to review the concession that we are going to grant in 2024, we might get there.

    “At the beginning of July, excise on single-use plastics products was suspended. We believe that if the suspension is lifted, something in the region of N300 billion can be realised from single-use plastics alone.

    “The excise duty on alcohol and tobacco. There is a projection to increase it to 30 per cent. I this is done, we expect that revenue will get to where we want it,” the CGC said.

    NUPRC

    The Executive Secretary of NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, in his presentation, said the commission is projecting a revenue of N5.6 trillion for the year 2024.

    When asked about the possibility of increasing the projection, he said the upstream sector is currently facing multiple challenges ranging from oil theft, dearth of investment in the sector and challenges with host communities.

    He stated that the Commission is seeking to increase Nigeria’s daily oil production by 300,000 barrels per day.

    When pushed by the lawmakers on the actual figure, Mr Komolafe said the Commission can push its revenue target to N6 trillion.

    “We have the potential to increase the current production based on the field development plans we already have. We see an incremental of 300,000 barrels.

    “We are committed to achieving and surpassing the target. In terms of figure, the N5.6 trillion, we are committed to surpassing it and go toward N6 trillion,” he said.

    Mr Bichi insisted that NUPRC can generate more than N6 trillion, he, therefore, tasked the agency to exceed the N6 trillion target.

    “We will try our best to go above N6 trillion. We are working around the clock to achieve the national aspiration,” Mr Komolafe said.

    NCC

    Also appearing before the Committee, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Aminu Maida said his commission is projecting N350 billion for the year 2024, of which N224 billion is to be remitted to the Consolidated Account.

    Mr Maida explained that the NCC majorly generates money from spectrum licensing and annual operating levy.

    He stated that the NCC is concerned about the growth of the sector instead of pushing for revenue.

    “I share your desire. I pray that we will exceed the revenue target. As a regulator, we have to balance the growth of the industry. What we need to do is to let the industry grow and have more people using telecommunication, therefore, we can get more annual operating levy,” he said.

    When pressed by the committee, Mr Maida said he should be allowed to check the books of the NCC to give a definite answer on a possible review of the revenue projection.

    He added that the Commission will launch a revenue collection App by the second quarter of 2024. Adding that the projection will help to increase the revenue of the Commission.

    “Sometime in Q1 or Q2, we are also going to deploy technology called the revenue assurance system. It will help us to collect our revenue. Right now, we depend on their management account to collect our revenue. With the software, we can actually know what exactly is due to NCC,” Mr Maida said.

    In his closing remarks, Mr Bichi said the committee is prioritizing revenue generation to support the programmes in the budgets.

  • Customs targets N6 trillion revenue in 2024

    Customs targets N6 trillion revenue in 2024

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it plans to generate N6 trillion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the Federal Government in 2024.

    The NCS Comptroller-General, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, stated this at the 2024 budget defense before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation on Monday in Abuja.

    Adeniyi said that the amount was higher than the N5 trillion originally projected in the budget.

    “I share the optimism of increasing the revenue to N6 trillion in 2024. So, N6 trillion revenue in 2024 is possible,” he said.

    He said the service would be able to generate the N6 trillion revenue if the federal government reduced concession grants in 2024.

    “The new law will also help us to facilitate a number of issues that will make revenue generation possible,” he said.

    He frowned at frequent import waivers by government, saying that it was one of the factors that had impeded revenue generation.

    “If we can get N1.8 trillion in one year that shows the N6 trillion revenue for 2024 is achievable,” he said.

    He said many of the goods at the ports were yet to be cleared, adding that when the NCS looked into its system, a number of bill laden were not opened.

    He said when an internal audit was conducted, it showed that the NCS realised over N11 billion from that exercise, adding that there were still lots of goods yet to be cleared.

    Speaking on import duty exception, Adeniyi said it was usually a presidential order given through the Minister of Finance.

    Rep. Abubakar Bitchi, the Chairman of the Committee, commended Adeniyi for his efforts to generate more revenue for the government.

    “Is there a possibility to increase your revenue, we will be glad if you can make it N6 trillion for 2024,” he said.

    Bitchi said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would not be achieved unless the revenue generating agencies increased their targeted revenue.

    He said the 2024 appropriation bill was laudable, adding that it would only materialise if there was enough money to meet the N27.5 trillion budget.