Freight Monitor
My comments on anti-trade practices of some freight forwarders misconstrued—-Tanko
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—–condemns Oforbike, Ezeh reactions as unprofessional, uninformed
Eyewitness reporter
The National Coordinator, 100 percent Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko has described as unfortunate the reactions of John Oforbike, a Chieftain of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and Princess Chi Ezeh, a member of the governing council of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), to his complaint against the false declaration that is making honest freight forwarders to lose money and customers.
The frontline maritime player is not finding it funny that his complaint against the false declaration of goods is generating controversies when it was meant to protect the businesses of those doing the right thing through genuine declarations.
Tanko, who denied ever saying that freight forwarders are corrupt, said that he only lodged a complaint with the Area Controller of Apapa Customs Command, Compt. Yusuf MI, that the recent jack-up of PARR is making freight forwarders to cut corners by declaring different things entirely.
According to him, the discrepancy is making Importers/ agents pay varying duties on the same goods where one pays N3 million and another pays N6 million.
He said that the variance in the duty of the same goods for different people is making honest practitioners like him who could not cut corners to be losing money and customers.
The Compliance Team coordinator said he complained to the Area Controller to look into it as those of them who like to stay on the side of the law are losing customers.
Specifically, Alhaji Tanko disclosed that he cleared four containers of wine for a customer which attracted a debit note of N32 million.
He stated that the debit note was issued by the Officer in Charge, Query and Amendment which the Importer told him to pay on his behalf because he didn’t have money.
He stated further that the importer gave him documents for another four containers but later asked him to come to his office.
The NAGAFF chieftain narrated that on getting to his importer’s office, he threw some documents at him, calling him names and saying that he would not pay the N32 million because others are clearing the same goods for a lesser amount.
Alhaji Tanko said that when he checked the documents, he saw that wines were declared as used vehicles in order to pay less duty.
This he complained to the controller to save honest freight forwarders who are doing genuine declarations from losing their customers and closing shop.
Alhaji Tanko said he was disappointed with the comments of Oforbike, for calling for his arrest and prosecution because he was fighting to protect the businesses of honest freight forwarders and shippers.
He described the attacks on him by Oforbike and Princess Chi Ezeh over the issue as unexpected of professionals like them.
He stated that the two freight forwarders who are occupying high positions in the freight forwarding industry ought to be on the side of the law as advocates of genuine declarations, adding that they have failed to show examples of good leaders.
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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
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Freight Monitor
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