The Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has declared war on importers abusing Free Trade Zone concessions, ordering the seizure of contraband worth over N5 billion imported through the Onne Port in Rivers State.
Key Highlights
- Customs seized 56 containers containing vegetable oil, used clothing and tomato paste.
- 45 containers contained 1,050 jerrycans of 25-litre vegetable oil, valued at N4.25 billion in duty-paid value.
- Nine containers of used clothing were valued at N1.05 billion.
- Two containers of tomato paste were valued at N232 million.
- Customs will prosecute importers, agents and other parties involved in the alleged violations.
- Transfers of containers to the Tinapa Free Trade Zone have been suspended pending a comprehensive audit.
Adeniyi gave the order on Tuesday while addressing stakeholders and members of the press at the Area 2 Customs Command in Onne, Rivers State.
The Customs boss frowned at the practice of some importers allegedly abusing waivers and concessions granted by the Federal Government to permit certain goods on the import prohibition list to enter designated Free Trade Zones for manufacturing and other legitimate economic activities.
According to Adeniyi, some importers had allegedly exploited the concessions by bringing prohibited goods into the country through the zones and subsequently pushing them into the local market rather than using them for approved manufacturing activities.
He said the Customs Service intercepted 56 containers imported through the Onne Port containing used clothing, tomato paste and vegetable oil.
Customs Seizes N4.25bn Vegetable Oil
Giving a breakdown of the seized consignments, Adeniyi said 45 of the 56 containers contained 1,050 jerrycans of 25-litre vegetable oil each. He put the duty-paid value of the vegetable oil at N4,252,500,000.
The Customs CG added that nine other containers containing used clothing had a duty-paid value of N1,045,580,000, while two containers containing tomato paste were valued at N232 million. The combined duty-paid value of the seized consignments is about N5.53 billion.
Importers, Agents, Shipping Companies Face Prosecution
Adeniyi said the goods were seized for allegedly violating Sections 55 and 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
He said court processes would be initiated for the condemnation and final forfeiture of the seized goods. The Customs boss warned that all parties involved in the alleged illegal importation would face prosecution.
According to him, this includes the importers, customs agents, shipping companies and other parties connected with the consignments.
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Customs Suspends Tinapa Free Trade Zone Transfers
Adeniyi also announced that the Nigeria Customs Service would no longer approve the transfer of containers to the Tinapa Free Trade Zone until further notice.
He said the Customs Service would conduct a comprehensive audit of containers whose customs processes were suspended and which had been transferred from the ports to the Tinapa Free Trade Zone.
“We will be requesting them to produce the customs documents, and we’ll be asking them to produce the process that consumed the containers of vegetable oil and the final products thereof.
“And while this process is ongoing, appropriate directive has been given that until all the containers that were transferred are properly accounted for, we will not allow any future transfer of containers into the Free Trade Zone,” he said.
Adeniyi said the seizure was aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic interests, public health and domestic production while ensuring compliance with the country’s import laws and regulations.
“What we have done in the interception of these containers is aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests, protecting public health, support domestic production, and ensure compliance with the country’s import laws and regulations,” the Customs boss maintained.
Customs Commissions Health Centre in Rivers
Meanwhile, Adeniyi inaugurated a model health centre in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. The facility was rebuilt and equipped with modern medical facilities by the Customs Area 2 Command, Onne.
He said the project was part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Adeniyi commended the Customs Area Comptroller, Area 2 Command, Aliyu Mohammed Alkali, for facilitating the intervention.
The Nigeria Customs Service periodically publishes seizure and enforcement updates on its official website.
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