Customs

Exclusive! Customs heads to court to vacate injunction against Customs concession project

CGC, Ali

—-accuses aggrieved litigants of pulling out of project

Eyewitness Reporter

The Nigeria Customs Service has instructed its legal team to head to court in a bid to vacate the restraining order on the implementation of the $3.2billion Customs concession programme.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday has restrained the Federal Government from enforcing or giving effect to an agreement on the Customs Modernisation Project otherwise known as E- custom allegedly executed by its agents on May 30, 2022.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the orders while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by two firms – E-Customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies (West Africa) Limited, which was argued on Friday by their lawyer, Anone Usman.

However, the Nigeria Customs, through its National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, said the service will go to court to challenge the order.

In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Bomodi declared that the management of the agency will not engage in what he called small talk over the matter that is already in court because that would be sub-judicial.

”We will go to court”, he declared emphatically.

We can’t be making small talk over a matter that is already in court, that will be sub judicial.

”Customs will make its reaction in court and that will be for the public to judge what the issues are”, the Customs spokesman stated.

He further explained that the litigants, E-customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies (West Africa) Limited, pulled out of the agreement on their own accord when they said they could not accept the terms and conditions of the projects.

Bomodi stated that the Trade Modernization Project Limited; Huawei Technologies Limited and African Finance Corporation, who eventually won the concession bid, agreed with the same terms and conditions that the litigants rejected for the same amount.

”The people that took the Customs to court were in the beginning part of the process, they disagreed with certain parts of the agreement and they couldn’t go forward.

”Of course, if you have some people who disagreed with what you are planning together and they pulled out and they were not asked to leave, they pulled out on their own, does that mean because they were there in the beginning, the project cannot go on?”, he asked rhetorically.

”That doesn’t make sense.

”The project was conceived to help the service better and those that we started the journey together couldn’t agree with the terms and conditions of the project and they left and some other people came in to take up their slot.

”Those ones said they could achieve the same results with the same terms and conditions which the other party rejected” Bomodi said.

He stated that the Customs shall argue its case in the court and will leave the judge to decide the merit or otherwise of the case.

Customs shall be in court and do the needful”, the Customs spokesman concluded with emphasis.

The court, on Friday, also issued an order of interim injunction against the Federal Government or its agents acting through the Federal Executive Council from retrospectively ratifying the decision to concession the Customs Modernisation Project also known as the e- custom project to Trade Modernization Project Limited, Huawei Technologies Company Limited and African Finance Corporation.

The restraining order issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the court shall last till the hearing and the determination of a suit brought against the Federal Government and other parties by two aggrieved companies.

The two aggrieved companies, E-customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies (West Africa) Limited jointly challenged the alleged unlawful and fraudulent concession of the E-custom project to the defendants.

Counsel to the two aggrieved companies, Anone Usman, had on behalf of the two plaintiffs, argued an ex-parte application praying the Federal High Court for the interim orders against the defendants to protect the interest of his clients.

Justice Ekwo, while ruling on the ex-parte application, granted the prayers of the plaintiff having placed sufficient evidence of interest in the concession project.

The judge also granted permission to the aggrieved companies to serve a writ of summons and all other filed processes on the African Finance Corporation at its head office, located in Ikoyi, Lagos through DHL courier services.

Defendants in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria; Attorney-General of the Federation; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission; Nigeria Customs Service; Trade Modernization Project Limited; Huawei Technologies Limited; African Finance Corporation and Bergman Security Consultant and Supply Limited being 1st to 9th defendants respectively.

Justice Ekwo subsequently fixed June 28 for the hearing in the matter.

The two plaintiffs had in their statement of claim narrated how they proposed to carry out customs modernization project through several government officials for the benefit of the Nigeria Customs Service.

They claimed that after a series of meetings and negotiations with some of the defendants, President Muhammadu Buhari granted anticipated approval for the e- custom Project

They averred that on September 2, 2020, the Minister of Finance presented a memo number EC2020/153 to the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) the highest decision-making body of the Federal Government, and secured approval for the two plaintiffs to be granted the concession.

Plaintiffs further claimed that trouble started when the Nigeria Customs Service unilaterally reviewed the FEC approval and imposed other conditions among which are the shareholding formula and governance structure.

They claimed that the power of the NCS to unilaterally review FEC approval was protested and that the Comptroller General of Customs stood his ground.

Plaintiff asserted that to their surprise, they read in the news that the Nigeria Customs Service had executed a concession agreement with Trade Modernization Project on May 30, 2022, Huawei Technologies Company and African Finance Corporation, in total breach of the Concession Agreement vetted by the AGF in conjunction with the Minister of Finance.

They averred that Trade Modernization Project was incorporated April 2022 at the Corporate Affairs Commission with one Alhaji Saleh Amodu, a close friend of the Comptroller General of Customs as the chairman.

Plaintiff asserted that the new company, having been just incorporated in April 2022, could not have obtained and did not obtain the full business case compliance certificate from the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission and the approval of the Federal Executive Council to carry out the e- custom project.

They, therefore, asked the court to make a declaration that the decisions of the Federal Government and its agents to enter into a concession agreement with Trade Modernization Project, Huawei Technologies Company and African Finance Corporation in respect of the e-customs project is illegal, null and void, having been made in gross violation of Section 2 of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act 2005.

They also asked the court to declare that E-customs HC Project Limited is the approved and rightful concessionaire for the e-customs project as approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of September 2, 2020 and in line with Section 2 of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Act.

They also applied for an order of the court directing the Federal Government through the AGF, Finance Minister, ICRC and NCS to consummate the E- custom project with the 1st plaintiff as approved by FEC in September 2020.

Besides, the two plaintiffs asked the court to compel the defendants to pay them a sum of Two Hundred Million Naira as the cost of litigation.

The Federal Government had on May 30, 2022 signed the e-Customs concession agreement with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and China’s Huawei Technologies Limited.

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Hameed Ali, while signing the agreement in Abuja, enthused that the implementation of the project will generate a revenue of $176 billion over the next 20 years.

Ali said, the e-Customs concession project would ease the cost of doing business, boost revenue, enhance productivity and put a stop to every arbitrariness in the service.

“The $3.2 billion e-Customs project to be financed by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and managed by Huawei Technologies Limited under a 20-year concession window, when fully implemented, will quadruple Customs’ current N210 billion average monthly revenue collection” Ali declared.

The agents who allegedly executed the disputed concession agreement are the Nigeria Customs Service, Trade Modernization Project Limited, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited and African Finance Corporation.

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Customs

PTML donates smart office complex to Customs for enhanced performance

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Port and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML), Tin Can Island port, has demonstrated a rare commitment to the welfare and well being of the officers of the PTML command of the Nigeria Customs Service when the terminal operator donated a new fully furnished office complex with modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) facilities to enhance their operations and boost their efficiency.

While handling the smart office complex to the management of the command on Thursday, May 7th, 2026, the Managing Director of PTML), Mr Ascanio Russo, described the project as a clear demonstration of PTML’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigeria Customs Service and ensuring that officers operate in an environment that promotes efficiency, professionalism and productivity.

According to him, the new office complex reflects PTML’s broader vision of fostering stronger institutional partnerships that will ultimately benefit port users and the Nigerian economy.

“This project symbolises our enduring partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service and our collective determination to improve operational standards at the port.

“We promised to provide additional offices to Customs, to complement the existing offices, and today we are proud to fulfil that commitment with a facility designed to provide a modern, comfortable and highly functional workspace for officers.

“We firmly believe that when regulatory agencies are provided with the right work environment and support, they are better positioned to carry out their responsibilities efficiently.

“This new modern facility will undoubtedly enhance productivity, strengthen operational effectiveness and contribute significantly to the seamless movement of cargo and trade facilitation at the terminal,” Russo stated.

He further commended officers and men of the PTML Command for their dedication, professionalism and consistent efforts in sustaining cargo throughput and boosting government revenue generation despite operational challenges.

Receiving the new office complex on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Customs Area Controller of the PTML Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, expressed deep appreciation to the management of PTML for delivering the project, which he described as timely and impactful.

Comptroller Anani noted that a conducive working environment remains critical to the effectiveness, morale and overall performance of officers, stressing that the newly renovated complex would greatly enhance administrative efficiency and operational coordination within the Command.

“This is truly a dream come true for us. I was informed that this project had been in the pipeline for quite some time, so witnessing its successful completion during my tenure gives me immense satisfaction and joy.

“PTML has demonstrated genuine commitment, responsibility and partnership through this laudable gesture.

“A modern workplace like this has a direct impact on the efficiency and motivation of officers.

“This facility will undoubtedly improve our operational capacity, create a better working atmosphere and support our mandate of facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring compliance with government regulations.

” We sincerely appreciate PTML for honouring this promise and for continuously supporting the activities of the Command,” Anani said.

Industry stakeholders at the event noted that the development will contribute positively to faster cargo clearance procedures, improved administrative processes and stronger synergy between terminal operators and regulatory authorities, all of which are essential to achieving greater efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

PTML, which is Nigeria’s leading roll-on roll-off terminal, is widely recognised for handling vehicle and container imports as well as providing integrated logistics and terminal services.

The terminal has continued to play a strategic role in supporting Nigeria’s maritime trade through its significant investments in infrastructure, operational efficiency and technology-driven cargo handling processes aimed at improving port productivity and reducing cargo dwell time.

Customs

Nigeria’s business community lauds Customs performance in Q1 2026, seeks improvement in service delivery

Funso OLOJO,Editor

The critical section of stakeholders in the maritime and aviation industries have expressed satisfaction with the level of performance, service delivery and discipline among officers in the Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Their commendation was based of the performances of all the commands in the Zone in the last three months

Customs Commands in Zone ‘A’ are those located across the six states of the South west geopolitical zone, at the land, airport and sea port borders.

Some of the prominent Commands in Zone ‘A’ include the Apapa Port Command, Tincan Island Port (TCIP) Command, Ports and Terminals Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command and the Western Marine Command.

Others are the Ijora Export Terminal, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Murtala Mohammed Cargo Airport Command, Seme Border Command, Idiroko Border Command, Ogun State, the Oyo/Osun Command and Ondo Command.

Many stakeholders who volunteered comments on the scorecard of the NCS Commands in Zone ‘A’ within the first three months of the year, said although Customs officers needed to improve in their service delivery, they however rated their performance high within the period under review.

The assessment focused mainly on resumption time, closing time, prompt attention to, and resolution of complaints from the business community, physical appearance, trade facilitation and revenue generation.

Many stakeholders scored the NCS in the Zone high on resumption time and closing time.

According to them, in most of the Commands, resumption time and closing time, as well as prompt response to complaints and physical appearance of officers are rated grade A.

A respondent, Uju Clifford, a freight forwarder who plies his business between the Seme Border Command and Apapa Area 1 Command, said he felt sorry for Customs officers because most of them resumed as early as 7.45 am and closed around 8 PM.

Clifford narrated a story of how his container was one day detained at the FOU for issues that related to documentation, but when he rushed to the Command in the evening to sort out the cargo, he witnessed that some officers closed by 8 PM. He said he felt sorry for the officers.

Clifford, who hinted that he normally pursues his jobs till late in the evening at the Apapa Area 1 Command, added that under the present management of the NCS led by Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs service, he has witnessed the highest level of discipline among officers.

According to him, “They look neat and decent. They talk to us politely, not like those days when they shouted at us. I commend the leadership of the current CG”.

The NCS has continued to demonstrate resilience and efficiency in the first and second quarters of 2026, with its performance scorecard reflecting strong achievements in revenue collection, enforcement, compliance, and strategic seizures across major commands.

Stakeholders were unanimous that from the Apapa Area Command to Tin Can Island and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command, operations have remained seamless, with service delivery running smoothly and unhindered.

At Apapa Area Command, revenue collection surged beyond projections, with recoveries from under-declarations and infractions reinforcing the Service’s vigilance.

In the same vein, the Tin Can Island Command recorded significant seizures of contraband, including restricted goods and counterfeit products, underscoring the Service’s commitment to safeguarding national security and economic interests.

Similarly, the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command maintained its reputation for precision enforcement, intercepting illicit consignments while ensuring legitimate trade flows without disruption.

The Idiroko Border Command led by Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, was scored high on enforcement drives, discipline, wellness activities and officers welfare.

Stakeholders across the maritime and aviation sectors also commended the Service’s performance.

“The Customs Service has shown remarkable consistency in revenue generation and enforcement.

“Their efficiency in Q1 and Q2 ,2026 has been a stabilizing factor for the economy,” said Mrs. Adeola Ogunleye, a maritime industry player.

Assessing the Service’s performance scorecard within the period under review, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emmanuel Onyeme, noted that men and officers of the NCS attended to their duties with passion and commitment.

He also saluted the high-level of professionalism displayed by personnel, while encouraging management and operatives within the zone to maintain the traction.

“The reality on the ground is that the Officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service in Zone ‘A’ have been very patriotic and professional in the discharge of their duties in recent months, particularly as regards promptness to duty and attending to clearing agents with courtesy and professionalism.

“I commend the officers in the commands across the zone for discharging their duties so well.

“This shows that the high-level professionalism and patriotism of the Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is running off down the ladder.

“I also want to commend all the Customs Area Controllers in the zone for being a very good example to their officers.

“The implication of this good development will be more revenue for the government and enhanced trade facilitation, and it will boost the cordial relationship existing between Customs and the stakeholders, especially Clearing Agents and Freight Forwarders”, Onyeme said.

Mr. Chinedu Okafor, a freight forwarder at Tin Can Island, also evaluating service delivery in the cargo clearance system said: “The seizures recorded this year are proof of Customs’ vigilance.

” Beyond that, clearance procedures have become faster, and revenue recoveries are impressive.

” Why we can speak of the need for improvement across board, we must commend the Customs for taking the lead and continue to incline to its appeal for other players like us to step up.”

Also speaking, Dr. Ibrahim Musa, an aviation logistics expert, emphasized the Service’s resilience:

“At the airport command, operations have been seamless. Revenue targets are being met, enforcement remains strong, and compliance levels are high.

” The Service deserves commendation for balancing trade facilitation with security.”

The Nigeria Customs Service posted a strong performance in Q1 and Q2 2026, surpassing revenue targets, recording billions in recoveries, and executing major seizures across key commands.

Stakeholders have lauded the Service’s efficiency, noting its resilience in revenue collection, enforcement, and compliance.

Revenue Performance:

While Q1 2026 export earnings hit $925.84 million, a 38.68% increase compared to Q1 2025, container throughput amounted to 19,014 for Q1 2026, up 95.58% from 9,722 in Q1 2025.

In the same vein, export surcharge collections grossed ₦199.36 million in Q1 2026, with an upswing of 21.81% year-on-year.

This is even as the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) collections amounted to ₦6.03 billion for Q1 2026, amounting to a 20.15% increase, up from ₦5.01 billion collected in Q1 2025.

Instructively, there’s a projected ₦9 trillion revenue for 2026, based on ₦7.28 trillion collected in 2025; with a projected target increase of ₦697 billion.

Enforcement & Seizures

With a total of 473 smuggling operations foiled in 8 weeks, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos seizures included 8,794 bags of rice (15 trailer loads), 22 used vehicles, 1,863 refrigerator compressors, 328 bales of clothing, and 531 cartons of frozen poultry.

Drug Interceptions records indicate that while 3,340 parcels of cannabis (1,540kg), plus 6.4kg of cocaine and methamphetamine valued at ₦2.35 billion was made within the period under review, revenue recovery by the unit amounted to ₦5.5 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV) and ₦97.7 million recovered via Demand Notices.

Command Highlights:

While Apapa Area Command surpassed revenue projections, with strong recoveries from under-declarations, Tin Can Island the second largest command recorded significant seizures of contraband and counterfeit goods, reinforcing compliance.

This is even as Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command maintained a seamless enforcement trajectory, intercepting illicit consignments, while facilitating legitimate trade.

With stakeholders affirming the Service’s credibility and efficiency, the Nigeria Customs Service continues to uphold its reputation as a cornerstone of trade facilitation and national revenue generation. Its Q1 and Q2 2026 scorecard reflects not only resilience but also a forward-looking commitment to excellence in service delivery.

Customs

FOU A bursts 473 smuggling operations in 8 weeks, records major seizures with N5.5billion DPV

– plans relocation to new ultra- modern Iperu headquarters

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Lagos, has foiled about 473 major smuggling operations across its areas of coverage within the last eight week.

Making this disclosure on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 was the Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu while giving account of the performance of the Unit.

According to him, the operations led to the seizure of a wide range of prohibited and contraband items, including 8,794 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 15 trailer loads), 22 used vehicles, 1,863 used refrigerator compressors and 328 bales of used clothing.

Others were 1,188 kegs of vegetable oil, 31,705 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 485 used tyres, 69 cartons of foreign spaghetti, sugar and other food items, as well as 531 cartons of frozen poultry products.

In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the Unit launched a special operation codenamed Operation Hawk, targeting illicit drug networks.

This resulted in the seizure of 3,340 parcels of cannabis indica, popularly known as “Ghanaian Loud,” weighing 1,540kg.

He emphasized that the operation reflects the Unit’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates and curb the spread of illicit substances.

In a related development, officers at the Gbaji outpost, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a vehicle along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor conveying hard drugs.

The suspect arrested with the prohibited items, a 71-year-old Nigerian, was found in possession of 6.4kg of cocaine and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of ₦2.35 billion.

Several arrests were made across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States in connection with these seizures.

Comptroller Aliyu disclosed that the seized narcotics have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution, in line with existing inter-agency collaboration frameworks.

The Unit also recorded the seizure of four cylinders of high-grade mercury, a controlled substance under the Minamata Convention, concealed in a vehicle.

The suspect and items has been transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action.

Beyond seizures, the Unit achieved significant revenue recovery, recording a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦5,504,039,720 within the review period.

Additionally, ₦97,703,596.55 was recovered through the issuance of Demand Notices on improperly declared consignments.

Comptroller Aliyu highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize operations through the deployment of advanced technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, drone surveillance, and predictive analytics.

These tools, he noted, are enhancing intelligence-led enforcement, improving response times, and disrupting smuggling networks across the Zone.

He further disclosed that the Unit will soon commence a phased relocation to its newly commissioned ultra-modern headquarters in Iperu, Ogun State.

The facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre designed to support real-time monitoring, data analytics, and improved inter-agency coordination.

Reaffirming the Unit’s dual mandate, Comptroller Aliyu stressed that while enforcement remains a priority, the FOU Zone ‘A’ is equally committed to facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring that compliant traders are not unduly hindered.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and strategic direction, as well as to stakeholders and the media for their continued support.

The Comptroller reiterated the Unit’s determination to sustain its crackdown on economic sabotage, protect national revenue, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s trade environment.

The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, has reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economy across the South-West region.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, Comptroller Aliyu stated that the Unit has strengthened enforcement measures in line with the Federal Government’s fiscal policies and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. He noted that through enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration, the Unit successfully intercepted 473 smuggling attempts within an eight-week period.