Freight Monitor
Hakeem Olanrewaju exposes plans to rig CRFFN elections
—– as Ameachi retains appointed former board members ahead of exercise
The freight forwarder stated that the reappointment of the 17 non-elected members ahead of the elections established a fundamental error in the making of the intended electioneering process as the immediate past Governing Council Board was not properly dissolved.
“Presently, at the expiration of the outgone Governing Council Board, while the elected freight forwarders in the board heeded to the court seeking for their tenure elongation to four years and not two years as provided by the Act 16, 2007; the appointed politicians were immediately reappointed by the Honorable Minister ahead of the freight forwarders election.
“Unconfirmed reports have it that there exists an internal understanding and arrangements for the appointed politicians to work assiduously and to deploy a process that will guarantee the return of the out-gone freight forwarders represented back into the Governing Council Board of the CRFFN,”
Olanrewaju also picked holes in the electoral committee set up by the Minister which he said is also made up of members from the Tactical Electioneering and Voting Process which has been given the mandate to prepare their return to the board again.
“The freight forwarding practitioners are still very much doubtful and worried about the possibilities of the Honourable Minister of Transportation to have unknowingly played into this initial conceptualized Tactical Electioneering and Voting Process packaged by the outgone Governing Council Board.
“It is on record that the immediate past Governing Council Board set up a Tactical & Strategic Electoral Committee before their tenure elapsed, but the components of such electoral arrangements are still very much around in the present making.
“It is important to openly lodge the skepticism expressed by the generality of the freight forwarding practitioners which seek clarification to the effect that, this published election notice is not in any way a mere Tactical and Strategic Electoral Committee and System or better stated, a furtherance of the formal Governing Council Board.
“This expression is apt because we are aware that in a “first-past-the-post electoral system,” a vote is tactical when it is cast for a selected candidate not on merits, but to best influence to ensure such candidate wins in the constituency.
“Tactical and Strategic Voting System is often organized to favour an incumbent or to foster status quo,” he said.
For the elections to be credible and devoid of rigging, Olarenwaju said it is important for the minister to address all the rigging ploys.
Freight Monitor
ANLCA’s factional crisis at Airport chapter worsens as Emenike suspends Bamgbala Adewusi over trump up charges
Funso Olojo
The factional crisis at the Murtala Mohammed Airport chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) may have taken a dangerous dimension as the National President of the Association, Emenike Nwokeoji, has ordered the suspension of Prince Bamgbala Adewusi, the factional Chairman of the Airport Chapter of the ANLCA.
The crisis, which was triggered by the dissolution of the Adewusi-led chapter executives and the appointment and inauguration of Temitope Pius Akindele-led new chapter executives about two months ago, has witnessed several twists and turns that dovetailed into multiple litigations before it finally degenerated into the suspension of Prince Adewusi.
In an internal memo written and signed by Fakanlu Olumide, the National Secretary of ANLCA, Prince Adewusi together with two other members, Mr. Davies Ben Chukwunenye and Mr Lekwauwa Ifeayi Valentine, were suspended for their ”refusal to appear before the disciplinary committee to defend themselves over the documented allegations of financial malpractices bordering on embezzlement of association money”.
The memo, dated 7th, June 2024 anC addressed to all ANLCA Corporate Members titled Suspension of Membership reads inter alia “This is to notify the entire members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) of the suspension of the membership of the under listed from the association;
1.Mr Bamgbala Adewusi of ASHOV Nig.Ltd/BATOLAB Nigeria Limited.
2. Mr Davies Ben Chukwunenye of SAMON KAY Nigeria Limited.
3. Mr Lekwauwa Ifeayi Valentine of ROKBAL Global Investment Limited.
”The decision to suspend the membership of the above persons is premised on their failure/refusal to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves over the documented allegations of financial malpractices bordering on embezzlement of Association money as stated in section 24(10) of our 2023 constitution as amended.
”It is noteworthy that the fourth member also accused in the petition showed up at the Disciplinary Committee sitting and absolved himself.
”It must be emphasized here that members of the Association are under the obligation to conduct themselves in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Association hence no member should be allowed to act as if he/she is above the said Constitution.
”Consequently, the above-stated members henceforth cease to be recognised as members of the Association, and no transaction shall be conducted with them in their former capacities as members of the Association until further notice.
”We hereby use this opportunity to thank our members for their understanding and support, especially our members in the MMIA Cargo chapter.
”We enjoin them to go about their business peacefully while assuring all that no amount of recalcitrance and blackmail will deter this administration from doing what is constitutional and in the best interest of ANLCA” the memo concluded.
However, industry commentators believed that the suspension of Prince Adewusi was more of political victimisation given the standoff between him and the National President of ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji over the controversial elections in the Airport Chapter.
One of the top members of ANLCA who craved anonymity described Adewusi’s suspension as witch-hunting and an attempt by Emenike to break the resistance and sheer willpower of the factional chapter Chairman which has stood his ground and refused to be intimidated since the crisis started.
The source however described the purported suspension as a charade that will further plunge the association deeper into crisis.
Prince Adewusi was yet to respond to his suspension as at the time of writing this report.
Freight Monitor
Adewale Adeniyi’s purposeful leadership as CGC excites Tin Can ANLCA
Freight Monitor
ANLCA crisis gets messier as Chapter Excos elected by Tony Iju in Western Zone head to court to challenge Emenike’s Sole Administrators
-
Customs3 months ago
Customs dismisses claim of outsourcing its promotion examinations.
-
Customs3 months ago
CGC Adeniyi secures government approval for establishment of Customs University in Lagos
-
Customs2 months ago
As Customs graduates 50 officers for Junior Course 19, Adeniyi urges them to uphold professionalism
-
Headlines3 months ago
Why Nigeria still pays war risk insurance charges despite zero incident of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea – MASPAN
-
Customs3 months ago
Tanko decries outsourcing of Customs promotion examinations
-
Customs3 months ago
Governor Zulum seeks collaboration with Customs for enhanced border security, trade facilitation with Borno state