TINCAN COMMAND SHOWCASES LIFE THREATENING SEIZURES OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND ARMS

By Okey IROEGBU 

The Tincan Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service under the control of Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni was at it again with the showcase of landmark seizures of illicit drugs. The officers of the command reported a number of successfully executed multiple interceptions of illicit drugs, arms and ammunition at various locations, showing a concerted effort to prevent illegal entry into the country through diverse routes and means of conveyance. In an address delivered by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR on Thursday, February 25, 2024, said the command intercepted four containers laden with arms and ammunition alongside illicit drugs imported from South Africa and Canada into the country through the Tin Can Island Port Complex. While addressing journalists and other critical stakeholders at the command on the seizures, CGC Adeniyi who came from Abuja because of the importance attached to the seizures disclosed this feat recorded by operatives of Tin Can Island Command of the service in collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to him, the interception of the illicit items, have brought to light, a worrisome trend where criminal networks engaged in collaborative attempts to subvert the competency of the agencies tasked with mitigating the entry of such illicit substances. The smugglers and economic saboteurs who are like the proverbial Sparrow which had learnt to fly without perching, the Customs operative have also learnt to aim without missing as the CG said "Just as criminals find strength in collaboration, government agencies must equally appreciate the advantages of working collectively to fulfil their statutory responsibilities. It is within this context that the ongoing collaborative efforts between the NCS and the Nigeria Drug and Law

Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have consistently yielded positive results." The Comptroller General was much disturbed by the negative effect of these items getting into the nation. According to him "these substances provide the impetus for individuals to engage in heinous acts that undermine the peace and security of our society. Simultaneously, the possession of arms and ammunition empowers these criminal elements, enabling them to brazenly challenge the authority of the state and its security apparatus. "Therefore, disrupting the link between illicit drugs, criminal activities, and access to arms and ammunition stands as a critical strategy in reducing overall crime rates. Suppressing drug-induced altered states and restricting criminal access to weaponry can significantly impact their operational capabilities." He was therefore pleased to outline the result of the successful collaboration between Nigeria Customs Service with particularly, the NDLEA, resulting in the successful interception and seizure of various illicit substances. The seized items include: 65 packets of Colarado Indica weighing 32.5kg seized from 1X40FT Container No. UACU 534833/6 imported from Canada; 17 packets weighing 16.690kg confirmed to be Cocaine, 151

packets Colarado Indica weighing 107 kg, One (1) piece Gen2 Air soft pistol with serial No. 471908, empty magazine, 49 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, 197 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, precursor chemicals for the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine, 8 bags weighing 25kg tartaric acid, 100 kegs of unspecified substances seized from 1x40ft Container No. MSCU 458177/0 imported from Durban South Africa. Others are 40packets weighing 39.7kg confirmed to be Cocaine, 1026 packets weighing 688.2kg confirmed to be Colarado Indica, Two (2) pistols without serial numbers, one pistol with Serial No. AZYSRA6YSO12101181, three (3) empty magazines, 275rounds of 5.5mm M16 Tavor live ammunition, Six rounds of 9mm blank ammunition seized from 1x40ft container No. THRU 796807/1 imported from Durban South Africa and 226 packets weighing 128kg confirmed to be Cannabis Indica seized from 1x40ft Container No.MEDU 785276/3 imported from Durban South Africa.

NIMASA Score Card Under Jamoh’s Leadership

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) no doubt has performed following the scorecard presented the Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh since assuming office.
In a statement from the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr Osagie Edwards, the agency pointed out achievements in security on the nation’s waters and Gulf of Guinea (GoG) with piracy and armed robbery attacks going down.
The agency also released its performance in the area of search and rescue operations, port and flag state administration amongst others.
The statement reads, “Before 2019, we do not have law, separate law that tried this offenders and criminals that we arrest those involved in piracy and kidnapping.
“Therefore, we try to get this formal act Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Related Offences (SPOMO) Act signed by Mr. President in June 2019. As of today we have secured convictions under this Act. This has also served as a deterrent to would be criminals.
“To further deter these criminalities on the waterways and make our youths gainfully employed, the Agency engaged the Marine Litter Marshals Usually.
“Records therefore shows that from third quarter of 2021 until date, we have never recorded one single attack in our own territorial water.
“The Federal Executive Council, at the end of the last quarter of 2021, approved the wreck removals from Badagry axis up to the Tincan Island project has gone very far.
“Again, in the first quarter of 2022, the Federal Executive Council approved the removal of the entire wrecks also in the other zones of Nigeria, comprising Western zone with headquarters in Lagos, Eastern zone headquarters in Port Harcourt and then central Zone headquarters in Warri. All these projects have achieved major milestones.
“We engaged the Nigerian Navy Naval Dockyard in Lagos to repair our operational vessels, Millennia 1 and Millennium 2. Today both vessels and five others are almost ready for deployment for enforcement purposes. This will also enhance our search and rescue operation, port and flag state administration amongst others.
“In order to attend to the emergencies that may occur after a Search and Rescue Operations, the Agency has built two brand new Search and Base clinic of international standard at Azare Crescent, Apapa and Kirikiri. We are hopeful to commission it soon. The hospital is not for NIMASA or Nigeria, but original Regional States, NIMASA in charge of nine countries in terms of Search and Rescue. The hospital is of high international standard, we hope to treat all calibers of patients locally, and internationally, with the state of arts equipment the facility will possess, when completed.
“In the area our Flag and Port State Administration, at the inception of the administration, there was no single vessel for enforcement. Today, we have built seven brand new bullet proofs boats and we expect them to have completed the building. They are being built in Spain, and we are hoping that before the end of March, we will receive and commission the vessel.
“As soon as the vessels are commissioned, there will be enhanced enforcement performance; and we plan to divide the use of the vessels; not only in Lagos, but also to other zones of the Agency. All these will cater for the issue of safety.
“Now in order to ensure that we do not forget our own training institution in Nigeria, we have improved our interface with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron. The Agency’s statutory funding of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron has been on point since 2020.
“We have Simulators, among other state of the art facilities, and the funding by NIMASA has been unhindered. This is in addition to other private maritime institutions, the private like Charkins, they are now also coming up with a lot of accreditation of diplomas and other short-term certificates that we are doing it locally, saving foreign exchange that we are having.
“In addition to this initiative, the Agency created skill acquisition centres across six geopolitical zones. For the South-West we have Lagos, in the South-East we have Anambra, for South-South we have Bayelsa, for North-East, we have Maiduguri, Borno state; for North-West we have Kaduna State for North Central we have Kwara.
So all this skill acquisition centers have the capacity of training younger Nigerians on different aspects of professionalism”.
The performance chart presented by NIMASA includes what it has been able to do in the area of the blue economy project and shipping development.
For instance, the agency noted that with the presidential approval on the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), it is optimistic that this will likely be actualized in the second quarter of 2023.

NPA Appoints New Port Manager At Tin Can Island

Egede takes over from Akin Leoso who has held the position in an acting capacity since November 2023 after the retirement of the former Port Manager, Jubril Buba.

Tin Can Island Port is Nigeria’s second-largest seaport.

Prior to this appointment, Egede served as the Traffic Manager of the Lagos Port Complex Apapa. He also held the position of Traffic Manager for Kirikiri Lighter Terminal in Apapa, Lagos, from 2021 to August 2023.

Egede previously served as the Traffic Manager at Rivers Port, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and also held the position of Personal Assistant (Operations). He holds membership in the American Society of Safety Professionals and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, among other professional affiliations.

His previous roles encompassed serving as the Personal Assistant to the Port Manager (Tin Can Island Port) and acting as the Secretary to the Implementation Committee on ISPS code Regime in the Port from 2001 to 2004. He also served as Senior Traffic Officer overseeing vessel supervision, cargo discharge, handling, and delivery at TCIPC from 2000 to 2001.

His educational background includes a BSc in Geography from the University of Jos between 1986 and 1990 and an MSc in Transport Planning from Lagos State University (LASU) between 1997 and 1998. 

Egede has participated in various conferences and seminars globally, including workshops by ASCON on Developing Leadership Competence and Capabilities in 2020, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meetings in April 2014, September 2019, and October 2023 (UK). He also attended the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) conference in Abuja in August 2018, and The Oil Trade Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, USA, between 2015 and 2023. Additionally, he underwent Port Management & Administration Programs at the Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden, in 2012.

Mr. Egede, the adept operational leader, has already commenced duties as the Port Manager at Tin Can Island Port. He is married with children.

PRINCE OLAYIWOLA SHITTU IS A BORN LEADER

Former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu has recorded many feats on reconciliation following his wealth of experience. This could be observed on his accomplishment in reconciling aggrieved members of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) back to the association.

Prince Shittu led committee was inaugurated in October 2022 with the mandate of reconciling aggrieved members of the association so that elections can hold.

The other committee members included, Edmund Martins, Akin Akinyemi, Engr Emmanuel Ilori, Engr Adewale Ishola and Bar. Paul Omolodun.

Celebrating Prince Olayiwola Shittu, a former National President of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licenced Agents, his good mien towards people, irrespective of where they come from or what their religious or cultural beliefs are are visibly seen. It is a virtue that shaped his life from an early age when his father led him through the path of great thoughts, making him get exposed to other religions, simply to understand what could inform people’s disposition and how to relate with them.

He started early in life, on the business front however, the entrepreneur gentleman knows how to keep the lead unruffled since 2010 when he became the National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

After high school, Olayiwola  left his birthplace in Epe for Mushin, Lagos, to assume duty on a job with the Post and Telecommunications(P&T) Department, which  trained him at the Training School, Oshodi, Lagos. Soon after, he transferred his service to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which is another parastatal of the Federal Government.

He was in Koko Port when the first commercial vessel came with Mitsubishi Lancer cars.  He aimed at meeting his set goals doing cargo discharge, clearance and delivery processes at his duty-post, therefore, never waited for those who attended to the job casually. With that enterprising spirit, Prince Shittu left Warri in present Delta State for Port Harcourt, Rivers State, convinced that he would be better-off running a business for himself. So, in 1984 when he relocated to Port Harcourt, he knew he was done with a salary-job after a good discharge with his records of service from the NPA.

He subsequently established ‘Skelas,’ coined from the abbreviation of the names of members of his family. Applying his experience of working in Koko Port, he keyed into the business of customs brokerage, a business he considered easy to start on mainly goodwill. That was how he started at the Airport in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and gradually built a clientele based on honesty of purpose.

Customer satisfaction from his company operations has sustained him. Several other customs agents have had to refer to him for recommendations for jobs from clients who have built trust in his brand. His company has also run its operations on retainership from big business ventures over the year.

Prince Shittu entered into a partnership with the communication network provider, ECONET, bringing the business to Port Harcourt, Rivers State during the early days of the telecommunication service provision in Nigeria. But the operation was soon closed. Therefore, considering the importance of ownership composition beyond one man who had established the business, he opened up the business to other people, making a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of customs the chairman of the company. The business operations have benefitted from the chairman’s vast experience from the customs service.

There is a Skelas Hotel, which is affiliated to Hotel Travel Service, which helps hotel owners reposition their business for a fee. The company’s subsidiaries are run by complementary heads, who only seek his attention at critical times.  He plans to quit from the port after his term as president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), just to settle down to other areas like farm management.

As a matter of policy, Skelas gives out parcels of land to staffers who have served up to 10 years with the company. This strategy has helped to motivate and retain its dedicated workforce. In the same vein, it assists ambitious members of staff to get operational license, to help them become successful as well.

He was Chairman, Port Harcourt Airport Chapter of ANLCA in 1986, and later served as National Publicity Secretary, ANLCA from 1999 to 2003. In 2012, he got the membership of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association (IFCBA) in Greece, and joined the IFCBA India in 2014, while that of Shangai, China was in 2016.

 

MMIA COMMAND SURPASSES 2023 REVENUE TARGET, IMPOUNDS CONTRABAND WORTH N801M

By Okey IROEGBU 

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of Nigeria Customs Service in line with its core mandate to generate more revenue has exceeded its revenue target for the year 2023, collecting a total of N30,503,507,399.09 from 1 January to 31 December 2023—surpassing the set target of N29,148,944,769.82.This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Charles Orbih during a press briefing at the command on Friday, January 5, 2024. At the briefing, Comptroller Orbih, said, “There’s a 5% surpassing of the revenue target for the year 2023 and a consecutive monthly surpassing of targets from September to December 2023.“In December 2023 alone, the Command collected an unprecedented sum of N4,768,922,080.68.“The Command made 125 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N801,561,962.00 during the period under review. Seized items include $10,000 counterfeit notes handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), $8,800 concealed in an album, 89 seized drones, and 66 detained drones.”“Other seized items consist of 330 military and security wares, 700 rolls of cigarettes, 126 walkie-talkies with accessories, 87 artifacts and antiquities, 22 elephant tusks, 300 pairs of ladies’ footwear, 2 bags of precious stones, and other items.”Finally the statement reaching this media had the following statements in part. “Since my assumption of office in the Command, it is worthy to note that the Command has consecutively surpassed its monthly target from the month of September to December 2023 as represented in the total revenue collected within the period under review. At this juncture, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to state that it is the first time in the annals of this Command that in the month of December 2023, the Command collected an unprecedented sum of Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Eighty Naira and Sixty Eight Kobo only (N4,768,922,080.68). This could be attributed to the doggedness of the officers of the Command towards achieving set goals and objectives.“The commitment and diligence of the officers and men of the Command and other Units including the Valuation Unit, Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the Customs Police enabled seamless operation of carrying out these enormous tasks.”“I will like to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), BA Adeniyi Psc(+) MFR and his management team for creating an enabling environment for the Command to actualize its core mandate of generating maximum revenue, suppression of smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade and national security. The Command will not rest on its oars in this New Year 2024 by improving on its operations and facilitating legitimate trade while not compromising the security of the country. It is also important to appreciate the synergy that exist between us and other Government Agencies working in the airport. The cooperation has indeed boosted and helped in achieving our core mandate thereby strengthening our mode of operations.“Going forward, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Command will continue to discharge its duties and responsibilities as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Any would-be economic saboteur trying to bring unwholesome or restricted items into the country through the International Airport will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law. They are hereby advised to explore the opportunities opened by the Federal Government to engage in legitimate trade. No stone will be left unturned to achieve this daunting task as we progress into the New Year 2024,” he concluded.

UBANI SECURES COURT AWARD OF N500M AGAINST CUSTOMS FOR ILLEGAL SEALING OF CAR MART

By Okey IROEGBU 

Barrister (Dr.) Monday Ubani made another loud statement in his legal profession recently. Trending on maritime sector is the 2019 case on the raid at the Auto mart of members of the Registered Trustees of Auto-Mobile Dealers Friends Association by the Nigeria Customs Service. delivering judgment on the case, Justice A. O. Awogboro of a Federal High Court, Lagos, held that the sealing up of the car marts of members of the Auto-Mobile Dealers Association by the Nigerian Customs Service is unlawful and arbitrary, as there was no justification for the act.This media gathered that on September 30, 2019, some officers of the NCS invaded and sealed several car shops all over the country, claiming the cars were either smuggled or under-assessed during clearance at the ports.The Associatin in Lagos briefed the law firm of human rights lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani to seek legal redress on their behalf over Customs’ alleged harassment, illegality and extortion.In a letter to the NCS Comptroller General, the car dealers through Ubani & Co. law firm condemned the September 30, 2019 raid and sealing of their shops by customs’ operatives, describing the action as a "demonstration of gross irresponsibility, unprecedented impunity and abuse of power".In their suit marked FHC/L/CS/665/2021, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether the defendants had any power, authority, or justification to invade and seal their members’ business premises, on the grounds that vehicles in their shops were smuggled.The dealers in a pre-action notice stated, "We must state here with all sense of responsibility and patriotism that the action of Nigeria Custom officers in this regard is a demonstration of gross irresponsibility, unprecedented impunity and abuse of power."Though the Nigeria Customs and Excise Management Act gives you the power to examine, mark, seal and take account of any goods contravening your regulations.“In this case, you did not examine, mark, seal, and take account of the particular vehicles identified as not being properly cleared, but rather sealed up the entire premises without any form of examination or inspection of papers."This very act of yours has no protection under the Act, but smacks of impunity, illegality and flagrant abuse of executive power."The moment when Nigerian government agencies elevate the pursuit of revenue above the rights and welfare of the citizens, Nigeria is doomed.“Take notice therefore that you have 14 days from the day you receive this letter to unseal all our client's members' business premises to enable them to carry out their lawful businesses as Nigerian citizens."Take further notice that you have a period of 30 days from the date you receive this letter to pay a compensation of N10 billion to our clients for the severe hardship, suffering, embarrassment, loss of business, physical, mental and psychological torture and trauma your arbitrary, lawless and inconsiderate action has caused our clients and their families, failing which our client shall be left with no other option than to seek redress through a competent court of law."The law firm also forwarded copies of the letter to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice.As a result of this, delivering judgment the court granted the major reliefs sought by the plaintiff and gave some orders; it gave an order mandatory injunction directing the Nigerian Customs Service, to, with immediate effect, unseal the business premises of all members of the Association which was unlawfully and arbitrarily sealed off by its officials on September 30, 2019.It also gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Nigerian Customs Service from further invading and sealing the business premises of members of the Association on the ground that the vehicles in their car shops which had earlier been inspected, assessed and cleared at the port by officers of the Customs were not properly inspected, assessed and cleared.Also on the judgment which took place on December 27, 2023, the Judge ordered the Customs to immediately unseal the plaintiffs’ business premises and pay them N500m (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general and aggravated damages for the arbitrary and unlawful invasion and sealing off of their  members business premises since September 30, 2019 and for the huge economic loss and depreciation in business fortunes of members on account of the unlawful sealing off of their business premises since 2019.The court also held that the argument that some members of the association have complied by undertaking to make the additional payment as a result of which their car marts were unsealed is not tenable and does not in any way support or justify the arbitrary action of the Nigerian Customs Service as those members did not agree to do so willingly but out of coercion and duress, so that they could be able to carry on with their business.