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Freight Monitor

ANLCA peace talk collapses as two factional groups resume hostilities

 

—Taiwo Mustapha-led group boycotts AGM

—–NECOM dares them

The Eyewitness News

The latest peace talk which resumed three weeks ago between the two factional groups in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) may have collapsed as the two groups seemed to have disagreed on the propriety of the Annual General Meeting(AGM) slated for Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja.

The Dr. Taiwo Afolabi -led factional  BOT and Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha- led factional BOT have engaged each other in a fierce war of attrition over the control of the spoils of ANLCA which has thrown the association into a protracted crisis since 2018.

All past efforts to reconcile the two gladiator- groups have hit the rock until the latest peace efforts which were initiated  at the instance of the Inspector-General of police through the Lagos state commissioner of police.

As the latest peace deal bagan, there seemed to be the light at the end of the tunnel as the two warring groups decided to shield their swords by making compromises to achieve the desired peace.

The peace meeting was held at the Area ‘E’ Festac Area Command of the Nigeria Police in January 2023 and was reportedly presided over by a former DPO of RoRo Port, Mr Ajamolaya Ifetayo who is the new Area Commander and reputed to be a  a likable figure  among the customs brokers.

Those who attended the peace meeting included, Eniola Igbaroola, Kayode Farinto, the acting National President of ANLCA, Dr Opara, Secretary of Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha- led BOT, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi,Mrs Onome Monije, Mr Dayo Azeez, Chief Dennis Okafor who are from the two factions.

However, among the resolutions at the January peace meeting was to hold an AGM in February where all the rough edges in the peace agreement will be smoothed.

According to Alhaji Abdulazeez Babatunde Mukaila, Secretary General of the association, the AGM which was earlier scheduled to hold on February 7th, 2023 in Benin, Edo State has now been shifted to Marriott Hotel in Ikeja Lagos at the same date.

Alhaji Mukaila stated that the decision to shift the venue was as result of fears and concerns raised by members, especially regarding the insecurity along the Benin expressway.

Mukaila had however assured members of both warring factions of the association that there was no cause for alarm, adding that the AGM was summoned in agreement by both warring BOT factions.

 However, in a swift turn of events, the factional group of Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha announced the cancellation of the Tuesday AGM, a claim which was dismissed  by Kayode Farinto, the Acting National President of the Association.
In a press statement issued by  Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, the factional BOT Secretary and Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, the factional BOT Chairman, the AGM was illegal as, according to them, it was convened by the NECOM whose tenure has expired.
”This is to inform all members of the association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) and members of the public of the cancellation of an Annual General Meeting(AGM) earlier scheduled to take place at Marriot Hotel, ikeja, Lagos on the 7th of February, 2023.
”The cancellation is consequent upon the resolution of the registered board of trustees of the association which declared the scheduled AGM illegal on the ground that the tenure of the purported conveners has expired since April 16th, 2022.
”By section 13, sub-section 4(a-d) of the supreme constitution of ANLCA 2008(as amended), the tenure of the National  Executive Committe(NECOM) elected in Enugu in 8th March, 2018 expired on the 16th April, 2022.
”It is the constitutional duty of the registered BOT to convene an AGM in this instance and the same shall be done as soon as possible.
”Members of the association are therefore advised to disregard the purported AGM and go about their lawful businesses as a new date, venue and modalities of the said AGM shall be communicated in due course.
”By this notice, our esteemed stakeholders in the freight forwarding subsector, especially the Nigeria Customs Service, NPA, Shipping agencies, terminal operators, Nigerian Shippers Council, Edo State Government and the CRFFN are equally advised to ignore the purported AGM as it shall be of no consequence.
”The law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, are particularly advised to take note”, the public notice concluded.
In a swift reaction, Kayode Farinto dismissed the purported cancellation of the AGM, describing it as “fake news” which should be regarded by all the right-thinking stakeholders, insisting that the AGM holds Tuesday at Marriot Hotel.
”Professional colleagues, there is fake news in circulation as regards the cancellation of the proposed AGM slated for tomorrow, February 7th, 2023.
”I wish to inform our genuine members that this news is fake as we are going ahead with the AGM to make far-reaching decisions affecting our association.
”You will agree with me that in line with the ANLCA constitution, the day-to-day running of the association rests on NECOM, hence no board has any legitimate right to exercise such power.
”Please, prepare yourself for this AGM  and also pay for only 2022 subscription fees to enable you to participate”, the ANLCA acting National President declared in a note of finality.
The industry stakeholders are waiting with bated breath to see who blinks first between the two warring factions as they resumed their hostilities and the cut -throat rat race for the soul of the war-weary association.

 

 

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Customs

Opposition mounts against proposed hike in licensing renewal fee by Customs as agents kick

–the timing is wrong  — Amiwero

–the rich will now hijack the clearing job– Musa

— the multinationals will have a field day — Mukaila

– lot of agents will be out of job-Otunba Komolafe 
– the economy will collapse — Barrister Ada Akpunonu 
Funso OLOJO 
There seems to an overwhelming unanimity in the resistance of the Customs Licensed Clearing Agents against the proposed hike in the licensing renewal fee by the Nigeria Customs Service.
On Thursday, August 7th, 2025, the management of the NCS muted the idea of a hike in licensing renewal fee when it was sensitizing the executives of the major freight forwarding groups in Abuja.
The agency told the freight forwarders that commencing from January 1st, 2026, the current renewal fee of N215, 000( 20k for the Headquarters and N15k processing fee for the commands) would be increased as the existing fee was no longer realistic in the face of the economic realities in the country.
However, a cross – section of the practicing customs brokers who spoke to our reporter on the proposed review were unsparing in their total rejection and condemnation of the proposal.
They were unanimous in their belief that the move by the customs authority was not only ill- timed, ill- conceived but it’s capable of sending many practitioners out of the business.
The customs brokers lamented the timing of the proposed hike when, according to them, they are still grappling with the challenges of multiple payment of charges and fees atvtge port.
They pointed out the reintroduction of the 4 percent fee on FOB on imported cargo, the high exchange rate and other taxes which they said are hurting the business.
They further claimed that the proposed hike will give a leeway to the money bags and the foreign multi- nationals to hijack the freight forwarding industry.
Dr Segun Musa, the Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) accused Customs of gradually turning the issue of licensing into cash and carry for the highest bidders.
He believed that obtaining customs license should be purely knowledge- based and not what should be procured with money.
“To me, I don’t think it’s a welcome development and I’m not subscribing to that” when asked of his reaction to the proposed hike.
“The industry should be more of knowledge-driven and not cash-driven.
I didn’t subscribe to it and definitely I won’t buy into it.
” The reality is not whether the current renewal fee is sustainable or
not sustainable. Ordinarily, we don’t suppose as practitioners, we’re not supposed to pay for license.
“We’re supposed to be registered and licensed based on knowledge.
“It should not be a commercialized thing. A customs licensing is not a commercialized venture, it is not a private venture for profit making.
“They generate revenue for government. But ordinarily, we’re supposed to be registered and licensed based on knowledge to facilitate trade.
” If we allow the financial bullion operators to hijack the industry, then they mess up the whole industry.
“It should be knowledge-driven. It should not be the highest bidder industry.
” It should be integrity platform. It should be knowledge platform, not money
back platform.
“You cannot push people that are trying to establish and advance their business out of the business. You don’t do that.
It’s not fair.
“I’m just waiting for the associations that have met with the CG to come out with there  own resolutions or their own brief before we can start engaging media and telling the media our own personal opinion.
” But definitely, it will not fly.
Alhaji Abdulaziz Mukaila, the former National Secretary Generals of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents(ANLCA, was not less critical of the licensing renewal proposal.
” Where do they want us to get the money from? Do they want us to start to tax importers? the ANLCA Chieftain asked rhetorically.
“Are they giving us any subvention?
 Whereas, Customs is taking salary.
They are still taking budget allowance.
” Now they are taking 4 percent cent on FOB on cargo.
” The Customs is giving way to the fraudsters they claimed they wanted to weed out with this hike because the fraudsters will get the license at any amount because they know what they want to do with the license.
*Customs will only succeed in chasing out honest people out of the business, thus paving way to the dubious ones to take over.
“What are  they trying to
achieve?
” To shut the door and bring in foreign multinationals?
“Afterall, the customs now give licenses to the Chinese, Indians and Lebanese.
“With this new hike, these foreigners will now gain full control of the industry” the former ANLCA scribe alleged.
Mr Lucky Eyis Amiwero, the factional President of National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents (NCMDLCA) believed that the proposed hike in licensing fee was ill- time at a time the Customs has just introduced 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) on imported cargo.
“I don’t think it is the right time for
them to renew, to increase license fees.
“It is the wrong time because the country is actually faced with a lot of challenges.
“The challenges are, one,exchange rates. A lot of people have lost their job. Even people cannot renew most of their licenses.
“When you look at the license renewal, it is based on the performance.
Many people might renew and after the whole thing,they don’t have any jobs to
do.
“So,I don’t think it is the right time for them because  as the customs was  renewing, is trying to bring
in 4% of FOB and so many charges.
“And this is going to hit the agents, hit the importers, hit the
manufacturers,hit the economy.
“When you increase, many of them cannot even move out from their homes.
The port is not a friendly place. A lot of things that are happening  at the port are not coordinated.
“More than 70% of people have left the port industry.
“So,customs should have reasons and seek opinion of people before they  start to increase.
“That money they are increasing is for their own .
“When the last time they reviewed the whole thing, I was in the forefront.
“The last time it was reviewed from N10,000 to N200,000” Amiwero declared.
Both Barrister Ada Akpunonu and Otunba Olasupo Komolafe of the ANLCA shared  similar sentiments on the issue.
Akpunonu seemed to be carefree about the issue because, according to her, the challenges which agents are facing at the port are overwhelming and frustrating.
She lamented that while the agents were battling with the charges of terminal operators, Customs came with the payment of 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy and now the hike in licensing fee renewal.
” I don’t want to talk about this issue.
If they like, let them increase, when the economy collapses , we shall all be affected”
” Let the Customs increase, those who have money will renew and those who don’t have will be thrown out of job and the rate of unemployment will increase” Akpunonu said in a tired tone.
Otunba Komolafe described the proposed hike as an additional burden on agents who are already groaning in pains over multiple charges at the port.
” Where do they want us to get money? Do they think we pick money on the ground? ,the ANLCA Chieftain asked rhetorically.
He said some agents may not be able to even utilize their license for a whole years due to lack of job.
He claimed that the hike will throw many out of the job.
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Freight Monitor

Amiwero mocks ANLCA, three other freight forwarding groups over plan not to pay POF.

— describes them as gathering of strange bedfellows 
Funso OLOJO 
The last is yet to be been heard of the intrigues, acrimony and bellyaching that greeted the court judgement which invalidated the payment of the controversial Practitioners Operating Fees (POF)by freight forwarders.
It could be recalled that the factional President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licenced Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Eyis Amiwero, secured a court victory against the payment of the POF by Customs brokers when on May 26th, 2025, Justice D.E Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos delivered a landmark judgment in a suit No Suit No. FHC/CS/765/2018 between NCMDLCA vs. 1. MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, 2. NPA and 3. CRFFN in which he declared the collection of the controversial POF illegal.
However, on Friday, June 18th, 2025, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) led four out of the five freight forwarding groups registered with the Council for the Regulation of freight forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to announce their resolve to enforce the judgment of the Lagos High Court by stopping the payment of POF.
The other associations which allegedly connived with ANLCA to rebel against the  CRFFN included the National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) and a factional National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).
But Amiwero, who achieved the hard- won court victory over CRFFN, mocked the gathering of the four other associations, describing them as “strange bedfellows”.
”Just look at the gathering of these strange bedfellows, ganging up together to reap where they did not sow.
“A case of ‘my enemy, who is the enemy of my enemy, is now my friend.’
“When they slept on their rights and were busy fighting over the sharing formula of the POF, they never saw CRFFN action as illegal.
“Where were they when Lucky Amiwero single-handedly pursued the case and secured the judgment?
“Some of them even bashed Amiwero for challenging CRFFN, but now, have gathered to enjoy relief from another man’s struggle.
” Pushed by the frustration of not getting any share as CRFFN said that a Consultant fraudulently swallowed everything, they’ve now latched onto Amiwero’s court judgment, in revenge of those that outsmarted them in the Council’s politics and booties sharing” Amiwero declared in a derisive note.
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), which boycotted the meeting of the “strange bedfellows”, also dismissed the group as ” selfish and untrustworthy”
“The above ugly remarks by Mr. Lucky Eyis Amiwero concerning these individuals clearly portray them as untrustworthy and confused persons.
” They can best be described as a bunch of dribblers and directionless folks.
” We have waited to hear their reaction to these highly uncomplimentary remarks but discovered they lacked the wisdom to decode the weighty nature and the implications of Mr. Lucky’s comments, which completely smeared and eroded their credibility and made them interlopers in the industry” NAGAFF High Command declared.
NAGAFF, which reacted through its Board of Trustees (BOT)to the plan of the other registered freight forwarders over their plan to stop payment of the POF, has called in the CRFFN to deregister these rebellious groups while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, should use legal instrument to ensure that the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) withdraw their Certificate of Registration.
NAGAFF claimed these  punitive measures became necessary because the group has committed economic sabotage against the Federal government by denying the government it’s revenue through their refusal to pay the POF.
“The Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E Adegboyega Oyetola, is being encouraged to deregister forthwith the four ailing associations and move on to recommend to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to withdraw their certificates of registration based on threats to revenue due to government of the federation”, stated NAGAFF.
The association however believed that government should allow Amiwero and his group to exit the CRFFN platform in order to give peace a chance so that the CRFFN could collect the POF unhindered.
“The authorities should allow the factional President of NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Eyis Amiwero’s group and their accomplices to go as they wish and allow the CRFFN to face its mandate as provided by law.
“We are convinced that the CRFFN will stabilize and be more focused if these elements are granted their request to exit.
“We suspect that this group is being sponsored by the enemies of the state who are hell-bent on sabotaging the good efforts of the government.
“One of the worst crimes anyone can commit against the state is to deny the government its statutory revenue
” The antecedents of these groups in question had already portrayed them as non-progressive minds whose activities in the ports need to be watched” NAGAFF stated.
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