SOUTH-SOUTH MARITIME GROUP, SEME, ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVES

By Okey IROEGBU 

At Seme International border and Customs Area Command, trade facilitation is carried out in a unique way very unknown to outsiders. This uniqueness has existed over the period to encourage cordial relationship.

Trading at the border which embraces the ECOWAS protocols involves Export trade, ETLS, Transit on Import to Nigeria or through Nigeria to other land-locked countries. These therefore requires uniqueness. Seme border became a revenue generating command for the Nigeria Customs Service in 1992 with the official opening of a Customs "Longroom" which signalled the genuine operations of the freight

forwarders. It was a dream come through for many of the freight forwarders who were going to Apapa to run the documentations of the few cars they were clearing through the border. The border which was known before now as a smuggling zone got a rebirth of hope for many of the clearing agents who throng into the area to make a living. Seme border was a gold mine and a land flowing with milk and horney. To harness these benefits, many grouping were formed among which is the South-South Maritime group which is parading noteble

names in the freight forwarding business in this divide, among whom are Alhaji Lawani (Abu millionaire) and Alhaji Momoh (Basket). The group elected the followings to manage the affairs of the association moreso at this period of the border rebirth. They are Frank Itobe as the Chairman, Sam as the Secretary, Victoria Bassey as the Financial Secretary.

SHUAIBU: A CZAR IN ANTI-SMUGGLING, ARRIVES FOU 'A' IKEJA

By Okey IROEGBU 

"I am delighted by the opportunity given to us by the Almighty Allah and the Comptroller General to be here, and I pray that God will guide us through our tenure," was the passionate appeal made by Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu, the new Customs Area

Controller of Federal Operations Unit, Zone 'A' Ikeja during the handing over ceremony at the command's headquarters on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The deployment of Comptroller Shuaibu who is the 28th customs Area Controller of the unit did not come as a surprising going by his recent exploits at his last place of operations, Ogun 1 command. He is no doubt the

leading anti smuggling czar in customs operations in the nation today. Comptroller Shuaibu has a masters degree in environmental studies and also undertaking his doctoral degree. He hails from Lafia, in Nassarawa state. His antecedent as an interventionist operator started way back as the second in command to retired Comptroller Kirawa at CG Strikeforce. WIth the dwendling fortunes in the operations of FOU, Zone A lately under the leadership of Comptroller Oladeji, it is very imperative that the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR had to put the right peg in the right hole. There were reports of Nigerian Airforce and Nigerian Navy making seizures of rice on land for the Federal Operations Unit. It was on this note that the appointment of Comproller Shuaibu was welcomed with jubilation among the officers who are always ready to perform. While taking over from Comptroller Oladeji, the erstwhile head of the Unit, told the officers that they have an opportunity as given to them by the Comptroller General of Customs to make a difference and contribute their own quota towards prosecuting the war against smuggling. Knowing the challenge facing the command, Comptroller Shuaibu challenged the

officers of the enormous work ahead, by asking them, "What do we do henceforth, the workload ahead needs our co-operation and support"

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON CUSTOMS PAID AN OVERSIGHT VISIT TO SEME AREA COMMAND

By Okey IROEGBU 

On Monday, 7th April 2025, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service received the house of representatives committee on Customs and excise who were at the command for  oversight visit. The Committee was led by the Chairman, Right Honourable Leke Abejide. The visit as usual is part of the National Assembly's statutory oversight responsibilities as enshrined in Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   

According to the press release by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSC Isah Sulaiman, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo PhD in welcoming the delegation, expressed deep appreciation for the Committee's presence, describing it as a strong demonstration of their commitment to enhancing Customs administration, trade facilitation, and national revenue optimization.

          He went ahead to report

that Dr. Oramalugo highlighted the strategic importance of the Joint Border Post (JBP), the headquarters of the command which is strategically along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which also serves as a vital hub for regional trade. He reiterated the Command’s dedication to embracing the JBP initiative, which fosters cooperation with the Republic of Benin, promotes intelligence sharing, and improves customs clearance through the one-stop border post model.

          It could be noted that

since assuming office on 11th February 2025, the Customs Area Controller has focused on four key mandates which are: revenue generation; trade facilitation; anti-smuggling operations; and inter-agency collaboration. Under his leadership, the Command has recorded significant achievements .

          The release noted that

on Revenue Generation, the Command generated One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Six Million , Three Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira and Eighty-Five Kobo (N1, 986,395,565.86k)  in the first quarter of 2025 through improved compliance, risk management, and enforcement.

          On Trade Facilitation,

exploits on Export activities were notably boosted with over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods with a Free On Board value of Twenty Billion, Four hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira and Eighty-Seven Kobo (N20, 454,888,432.87k) only, facilitated from January to March 2025.

          The area command has never taken it lying low on the area of enforcement, sanitazing the corridor as a diplomatic route. On the Anti-Smuggling therefore, from January to March 2025, saw several seizures  ranging from petroleum products, narcotics, foreign rice, poultry, vehicles, foreign parboiled rice and more with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Eight Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Seven Hundred Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Four Naira (N855,700,524.00k) only.  

          All these were notwithout challenges as Dr. Oramalugo, outlined several of these operational challenges faced by the Command which include poor infrastructure, shortage of personnel and equipment, lack of power supply for over Seven (7) years in the entire Seme axis, and ocean encroachment. He called for urgent government intervention, especially in technology deployment, environmental protection, and enforcement of contractual obligations on stalled projects.  

          In his response, the

Chairman of the House Committee on Customs, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, reaffirmed the Committee’s resolve to critically assess the operations, revenue performance and capital projects in line with the 2023 and 2024 budgetary approvals.    

          "We are here to check

your books, operations, and ongoing projects to ensure alignment with appropriated funds and to determine areas for retention or removal in the 2025 budget," Hon. Abejide stated.

          He emphasized the need for the Command to provide data on revenue performance in relation to targets, impact of E-Customs and digital platforms and efforts made in suppressing smuggling and promoting Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

          Hon. Abejide assured that the welfare of Customs officers is of equal priority, encouraging the Command to use the opportunity to present actionable needs for inclusion in the 2025 budget.

          Finally the visit was

concluded with mutual assurances of continued collaboration in strengthening the Nigeria Customs Service as a key driver of economic development, regional integration, and national security. The visitors were taken round some of their operational bases and the Seme Customs Management had a group photograph with them to commomerate the visit.

NATIONAL COMPLIANCE JOINT TASK FORCE OF CUSTOMS AGENTS EMERGES

By Okey IROEGBU 

In a bid to checkmate economic sabotage and sundry practices in the clearing and forwarding of Import and Export goods to their final destination, an Interventionist and Advocacy group was officially inaugurated on Friday, 28th of March, 2025, at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town, Amuwo

Odofin, Lagos. The group known as National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents NCJTFLCA has come to stay. With the information reaching this media, the group’s aims and objectives include; to protect and promote the image, fame and integrity of all affiliated cooperate bodies in

all their business activities with Nigeria Customs Service, and other agencies concerned with the business of freight forwarding in Nigeria. To identify and expose those undermining the economic growth of the country and bring them to book by assisting to intercept and cause to be confiscated, any smuggled, unlawful or illegal goods, and ensure that the

culprits are apprehended by the relevant security or law enforcement agencies. To pursue, arrest, detain and prosecute corrupt government officials within the Port and entry point to Nigeria within the boundaries of our laws in Nigeria. It consists of maritime practitioners, market leaders and logistics experts. The group also flaunts the power to pursue the sanction of erring organizations, cooperate bodies, individuals and officials of government seen to be corrupt, and operating in suspicious ways

that could spike civil unrest and disobedience from members and corporate entities within the various groups in the industry. The aforementioned, among many others, are what the group is poised to address. The event which was adjudged as a qualified success was chaired by Chief Eric llechukwu (Akunwafo), President General, Association of Progressive Traders (APT), Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, and Chairman, Stakeholders Association of Trade Fair International Market. In his welcome address, the National President of NCJTFLCA, High Chief Dr. Basil Chudi Nwolisa (Abadikeogu), expressed gratitude to Almighty God for making the event possible. "I want to remind you that our organization is neither a political movement nor an institution of aggression. Rather, we are a registered advocacy group and a pressure group, committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and compliance in the clearing and forwarding subsector. “Our main objective is to address the endemic corruption that has plagued our nation, particularly in the clearing and forwarding industry. We want to ensure that the rules and regulations governing our industry are adhered to, and that the rights of importers and exporters are protected. "We are committed to tackling the issue of double taxation by shipping companies and terminal operators, who charge both demurrage and rent on the same container. We will also be asking questions about why the Federal Operation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service is still operating near the ports, despite the laws that established it stating that they should be at least 40 kilometers away,” Nwolisa stated. In his keynote address, at the occasion, Chief Eric llechukwu, ably represented by Stanley Chidum, said he was delighted to be part of the event. In his words, "this

milestone represents a significant step forward in our collective pursuit of excellence, transparency, and accountability within the industry. “As licensed Clearing agents, we recognize the vital role you play in facilitating international trade and commerce. We also acknowledge the importance of adhering to the standards of compliance, ethics, and professionalism. "I know that one of your aims is to promote a culture of voluntary compliance, share best practices, and collaborate with regulatory agencies to address emerging challenges and opportunities,” he stated. On his own contribution at the event, the Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders-NAGAFF and the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP Chief Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam,  applauded the President of the group and his team for what he described as a noble initiative. On behalf of NAGAFF, he pledged support and assured them of

NAGAFF’s collaboration. According to Dr. Aniebonam, "you do not need anyone’s permission to do the right thing, by doing so means you are bound to fail.” It was a roll-call of who is who in the freight forwarding industry as noteable personalities like Dr. Frank Ukor, pioneer National President of Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (ARFFN),  and many Royal Fathers were in attendance. Some of the royal fathers are HRM. Oba Sejiro James, the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Eze Steve S. Etolue(KSM), Eze Igbo of Badagry and others.