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Aniebonam seeks amnesty for goods seized under infamous administration of Hameed Ali as CGC

—describes Emefiele, Ali as wicked over ban on importation of rice, other 43 items.
The Eyewitness Reporter
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the founder and the spiritual leader of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has taken a swipe at the duo of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the immediate past Comptroller General of Customs, for causing untold pains and hardship on Nigerians through the infamous banning of rice and other 42 trade goods from access foreign exchange for import.
Aniebonam was reacting to the eight-year ban on these items and their recent delisting from the forex ban.
In his open letter to the Minister of Financial, Wale Edun and the Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi, Aniebonam commended the decision of the present CBN Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardozo, to delist these trade goods from the forex ban.
While lauding this move, the NAGAFF spiritual leader sought the release of all trade goods seized under this infamous regime of forex ban with appropriate duties and penalties.
Aniebonam believed that Godwin Emefiele was power drunk to have dabbled into the fiscal policy of the last administration through what he described as an Ill-conceived decision to ban the 43 trade goods, including rice, from forex access.
He also lampooned Col.(rtd) Ali for his shallow knowledge of customs laws and administration which he said was responsible for most of his unpopular decisions as the customs CG.
“Hon Minister, let us briefly take you to the atrocities committed by Mr Godwin Emefiele and the immediate past Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service Col. Hamid Ibrahim Ali.
“In the case of Mr Godwin Emefiele, he had no reason not to contact the customs board to advise him on the subject matter of delisting rice importation and the 43 items from forex benefits in relation to customs laws.
” If he did it,  is our belief that the customs would have advised him most appropriately and
professionally.
“On the part of the customs, it is most unfortunate that the former customs boss had limited knowledge about customs matters and international trade.
” Even when his attention was drawn to the provisions of the customs laws trade matters, his mind was already made to seize rice importation in particular.
Aniebonam stated that rice and other 42 other trade goods banned from forex access are not on the prohibited list and said there was no justifiable reason to confiscate these items, including rice.
“Hon Minister, why are we so wicked to each other and or just to show power and authority? Aniebonam enquires.
He therefore praised the present management of the Nigeria Customs led by Wale Adeniyi for its magnanimous use of desrectional powers to carry out their operations.
“Honestly, Nigerians must remain very grateful to the officers and men of the customs who always deploy discretional powers in carrying out their statutory duty.
”  Otherwise, I wonder what could have happened to trade in Nigeria if they had the mindset of the likes of Mr Godwin Emefiele and the retired CGC Hamid Ali Ibrahim.
Aniebonam therefore appealed to the Customs authority to approach President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant reprieve for the owners of the seized goods under the forex ban.
He said he believed the owners would be willing to pay all the appropriate duties and other surcharges, while the amnesty will also boost the revenue of the customs
“Having said all these to the Honorable Minister and the Comptroller General of Customs, we urge you to approach Mr President to grant amnesty to all the people whose goods were seized and still within the custody of the Nigeria customs service to take delivery of their imports.
” This is because the customs do not have reasons to seize such goods in the first instance.
“They were not banned and never breached customs laws or trade policy.
“We want to believe that the rightful owners will want and be ready to pay appropriate customs duty and any other surcharge thereto and take delivery of their goods.
“It is even to the advantage of revenue due to the government than the sale of the auction.
“Above all Nigerians shall be most grateful to Mr President for listening to the yearnings of suffering Nigerians.
This is a most appropriate opportunity to cushion the effect of oil subsidy removal.
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Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations  

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.
The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support  Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.
He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.
Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.
“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.
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Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime Reporter 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence,  brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

 As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.
It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.
 He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.
He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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