Connect with us

Freight Monitor

ANLCA crisis festers as Emenike insists on removing elected Airport Chapter Exco

—Bamgbala Adewusi cries for justice
The Eyewitness Reporter 
There seems to be no end to the fresh crisis in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) triggered by the purported but illegal removal of the elected Executive members of the Murtala Mohammed Airport chapter of the association by Nwekeoji Emenike, the National President of the association.
Rather than defer to the police intervention and counsel to let the status quo remain until all legal matters on the issues are resolved, our reporter gathered that Emenike is bent on carrying out what was described as a coup de grace as he has allegedly ordered the lawyer handling the matter at the court of appeal to hands off the case.
This was despite the self-denial by the ANLCA President that he was not responsible for the purported removal of  Prince BAMGBALA ADEWUSI as Chapter chairman in the Airport chapter.
Chief Emenike has also exonerated himself from the appointment of new chapter Executives at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Cargo Chapter, saying it was the court that made Mr Akindele Pius Tope Chairman, but that the last NECOM had refused to inaugurate him.
To perpetrate his stance on making sure the current Chairman,  Prince BAMGBALA ADEWUSI  vacates the office by fire by force, the ANLCA National President has written to the legal team of D.A. Awosika & Partners to hand off the appeal case pending in the court which the ANLCA BOT has hired to defend.
In over  41 pages of different documents, including court papers sighted by our reporter, the embattled Airport Chairman,  Prince Bamgbala Adewusi and other Executives said though the Police have maintained their stance for the Status quo to remain pending determination of the case in the appeal court, the ANLCA National President is using all antics, including blackmailing the Police to install his alleged stooge.
EMENIKE LATEST LETTER TO BARR. D.A. AWOSIKA TO WITHDRAW FROM A CASE INSTITUTED BY ANLCA BOT :
 In a letter written on 2nd May 2024, addressed to D.A. Awosika  & Partners LLP and attentioned  Barr. D. A. Awosika SAN, received on the 9th May 2024, the National President of ANLCA, Emenike  Nwokeoji has instructed the lawyer to withdraw from a case.
The letter titled ” Instruction to withdraw Suite NO: CA/LAG/CU/1045/23 Pending in Court of Appeal between ANLCA & ORS V. Alhaji Lasisi Fanu Bisiriyu & ORS”
“We refer to the above, furthermore, we wish to instruct you to immediately withdraw the suit which your firm is currently prosecuting at the Court of Appeal on behalf of the Association.
“The defendant therein is the current National Executive Committee of the Association and does not wish to continue the suit.
” From the foregoing, we will be pleased to have the process for the withdrawal of the Appeal expedited. We thank you for your services to our Association”
The letter was signed by both Emenike  Nwokeoji, National President and  Olumide Fakunlu, National Secretary.
The explanation from the above letter is that the National President is asking the lawyer handling the Appeal instituted by the BOT to contest the alleged illegal chapter elections conducted by Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, where both Alhaji Lasisi Fanu, then at Seme Border and  Akindele Pius Tope,  now allegedly installed by Emenike to become the chapter Chairman of MMAC.
The case which was instituted at Badagry High Court has since gone to the  Appeal Court.
Just like the incumbent Chairman Prince Bamgbala Adewusi and Bola Ashiru case which is in Appeal Court.
Our findings have also revealed that, according to the ANLCA Constitution, the NECOM has no such powers to withdraw a case, except the BOT and in this case, it was the BOT that instituted the case with a stay of execution at the Appeal Court.
Watchers of ANLCA events wondered if these facts are true, then why was the NECOM, led by Emenike Nwokeoji,  was urging the lawyer to withdraw from the case?
Also, commentators queried that if the Tope Akindele case is on Appeal, just as Adewusi case, why was the ANLCA National President bent on installing a candidate that did not go through a legally conducted chapter election in accordance with the ANLCA Constitution? More so when matter is still in Appeal.
TOPE AKINDELE WITHDRAWAL OF CASE AND APOLOGY :
In another document sighted by our Reporter, a letter written with the letterhead paper of GREEN STAR LINE LTD, a company  allegedly  owned by Akindele Pius Tope, who
wrote a letter dated 14th September 2021, addressed to the then National President of ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike, reads:
“Ref: suit NO: BD/3134 GCM/2019, I Temitope Pius Akindele  (Managing Director) of the above-named company do hereby exonerate/ withdraw myself from the above suit NO, henceforth.
” I sincerely appreciated the efforts of NECOM by giving me a total pardon at the NEC meeting held on 06th September 2021 where the issue was raised,  at the end of deliberations.
“Now on the apology letter, 39 voted in favour of my apology letter, while none were against my pardon. Glory be to God.
” Furthermore I also reaffirm my commitment with our great association to move forward. Great ANLCA, Great Professionals”.
The letter was signed by Akindele Pius Tope.
Again the understanding of this letter, sources said, was that the same Akindele Pius Tope, who wrote this letter on 14th September 2021, committing himself to have withdrawn from the suit and apologized to the NEC, is the same Tope Akindele that have resurfaced in 2024  to be sworn- in as the Chairman of the MMAC chapter, even though the matter is in Appeal Court.
HOW BAMGBALA ADEWUSI AND OTHERS  WON THE MMAC CHAPTER ELECTION IN 2022
The election into the Murtala Mohammed Airport Cargo Chapter was held on 15th January 2022 at the Police College, Ikeja Lagos State.
After a series of horse-trading and postponements, the Association Electoral Commission (ASECO), Chairman then, Aloy Anokwuru, now late, has beaten all challenges to conduct the election which was the only chapter remaining.
At the end of the contest, two candidates who contested for the Chairmanship, Prince BAMGBALA ADEWUSI scored 70 Votes, while Alhaji Bola Ashiru scored 49 votes.
Other winners included Davies  Ben Chukwunenye, Vice Chairman, 60 votes, Sylvester Iyamu, Secretary unopposed, Okere Chinedu, Assistant Secretary, unopposed, Lekwauwa Ifeanyi, Treasurer 63 votes, Gbenle  Joseph, Financial Secretary 58 votes and Mmasike Victor, Publicity Secretary 71 votes.
According to the supreme ANLCA Constitution, and practice, their certificates of return must be signed by the ANLCA National President,  BOT Chairman and ASECO Chairman.
In this case, Iju Tony Nwabunike, the then National President signed, Ozo Chukwura Felix signed for BOT Chairman, while late Aloy Anokwuru signed as the ASECO Chairman.
Their tenure as stated in their certificates of returns runs for four (4) years and is to terminate on 14th January 2026.
BAMGBALA ADEWUSI CRIED FOR JUSTICE
In a chat with our Reporter on why he is being hunted to vacate the seat as the MMAC chapter Chairman, Adewusi said, ” I don’t know what I have done to them, the National President and NECOM members, my election was conducted by an elected and legitimate NECOM led by Tony Nwabunike, they followed the Constitution of ANLCA and my tenure as stated in my certificate of returns reads four years, which terminate in January 2026.
“Am not afraid of leaving, but you cannot intimidate me and remove me illegally, especially when the matter is in court.
“The police looking at the matter has said let the status quo remains pending the outcome of the case in court.
“But I don’t know why they are desperate not to allow the law to take its full course.
” You can see all the illegal steps they are taking to remove me by fire by force.
“I want all ANLCA members to rise up and defend ANLCA and its Constitution, it is not about Adewusi, it is about ANLCA Constitution, the law and the integrity of ANLCA members “.
.
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Freight Monitor

Adeyanju rallies support for new CRFFN Registrar.

– appeals to warring associations to give Igwe Kingsley a chance

– warns his failure will affect freight forwarding industry 

Funso OLOJO 
Prince Adewale Adeyanju, the indefatigable President- General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has risen in stout defence of the appointment of Mr Igwe Kingsley, the new Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding practice in Nigeria (CRFFN), vowing to deploy the machinery of the union to ensure his success.
His support was against the backdrop of the opposition from other freight forwarding associations which went to court to challenge the appointment of the new Registrar.
Adeyanju, who was speaking exclusively in an interview with our reporter in his office, admonished the warring associations to shield their swords and support the new Registrar to succeed.
” The industry is bigger than individuals.
“Government has the right to appoint whoever it feels can perform, it has the right to appoint and disappoint.
“The new Registrar has been given that opportunity and every of us owes him a duty to rally round him and support him to succeed, especially the freight forwarding groups.
” They should know that such opportunity can come to any of them in the nearest future. Therefore, they should allow the young man to function by giving him the needed support” the top union leader admonished.
He said that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, should be commended for appointing the new Registrar from the fold of freight forwarding and the least that is expected of his colleagues in the industry is to support him.
” If they frustrate him and he fails, the freight forwarding industry will bear the consequences of his failure but if they support him and he succeeds, the industry will enjoy the benefits of such success.
“So it is in their best interest to support him to succeed” Adeyanju declared.
He expressed dismay at the hard stance of other associations against the appointment of the new Registrar which he said is not from Yoruba or Hausa but igbo stock whom he claimed are the people surprisingly waging war against him.
Adeyanju however pledged the unflinching support of the maritime labour union for the new Registrar and promised to rally other stakeholders for his success.
” Our own union, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, will support him, work with him and shall rally all other stakeholders to support the young man so he can succeed.
” If he succeeds, the better for all of us, if he fails, the freight forwarding industry will continue to grapple with its challenges even though I don’t pray for his failure”
Adeyanju, who is also the Vice -President of the Nigeria Labour,Congress(NLC),
relieved the problems which have hobbled the performance and efficiency of the CRFFN over the years to the point that the workers in that organization were owed salaries for a year.
” When the council became one of our affiliate members, we discovered that there were lot of crises in the council, in- fighting as workers were writing petitions against themselves.
” Salaries were being owed while the workers were suffering.
“But when we came in, we had to write a letter to the Minister who graciously promised us through the Permanent Secretary, to wade into the crisis.
” I learnt the government, through the NPA,has given the Council bail out twice last year, the last one was shortly before the Christmas/ New Year holiday.
” I want to thank the Minister for his intervention, especially for the bail- outs and appointment of someone from the freight forwarding industry as the new Registrar which  clearly shows he is a workers- friendly person” the labour leader noted.
He however wondered how long would the CRFFN depend on government bailouts.
” This is the reason why we all need to support the new Registrar to succeed so that the council will function and become vibrant to cater to the aspirations of the teeming freight forwarders who are daily grappling with numerous challenges in the industry” Adeyanju observed.
Watch out for the full interview 
Continue Reading

Freight Monitor

CRFFN: A struggling agency on government life support.

Funso OLOJO

The idea behind the creation of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) was a noble one.
Established through an Act of Parliament in 2007, CRFFN is charged with the responsibilities of regulating and controlling the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria and promoting the highest standards of competence, practice and conduct among members of the profession.
Eighteen years after its creation, CRFFN has remained a struggling agency, barely surviving on the life support provided by the government, thus desecrating the nobility of its birth.
Meant to be a regulatory agency independent of government control and interference as espoused by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA), the umbrella regulatory body for the practice of freight forwarding globally, CRFFN has perpetually and permanently remained tied to the apron string of Nigerian government.
As a matter of fact, the council would have long been dead if not for the financial oxygen provided by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, its supervising ministry.
For close to 18 years, CRFFN has been a liability, a parasitic body whose preoccupation was more on how to survive than the performance and discharge of its statutory responsibility of regulating the freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.
The successive governing boards of the Council since inception, had been populated by people who are more concerned with their pecuniary interests, people who are more interested in their self- preservation and financial gains, than those with the burning passion to develop the struggling freight forwarding industry.
The successive acts of incompetence, the culture of lack of commitment, insincerity and corruption amongst the leadership of the council have resulted to a thick layers of rot that has stunted the growth of the body.
Largely unpopular among the  freight forwarders whom it is meant to regulate due to lack of impact and efficient service delivery, CRFFN has become a puariah in the industry it is meant to superintendent over.
To shore up its internally generated revenue, the government approved the collection of Practitioners Practising Fee(POF) collectable on all cargo landed at the airports, seaports and border stations.
Under the POF regime, importer pays N3.5 per tonne of cargo imported into the country, N1.5 per kilo for air cargo, N1,000 on each imported 20- feet container and N2,000 per 40- feet container.
After the initial hiccups as a result of opposition by the disgruntled freight forwarders, the collection of the controversial POF commenced in 2021 under the leadership of the former Registrar, Samuel Nwakohu, who took over from the pioneer Registrar, Sir Mike Jukwe in 2019.
Before Nwakohu handed over to Chinyere Uromta as an Acting Registrar in January 31st, 2023, the POF was collected for three years.
The collection expectedly continued under the leadership of Uromta from January 31st,2023 to October 2024 when she was asked to hand over to the incumbent Registrar, Mr Igwe Kingsley.
Effectively, before Kingsley came on board barely two months ago, CRFFN has collected POF, reported to have run into several millions of naira, for four years.
Ironically, the Council, despite these collections,couldn’t still pay the salaries of its staff for 10 months prior to the take over of Kingsley.
The question is where did the millions of naira accrued for four years under Nwakohu and later, Uromta, go?
Obviously, the humongous amount of money collected as POF but which actually amount was shrouded in mystery, had been mismanaged and misappropriated.
Apart from few poorly coordinated training programmes organized for  freight forwarders, there was no tangible means to which the POF actuals were deployed.
For the period which the Council couldn’t pay its staff, the regulatory body became a bout of laughter among the industry operators, especially the freight forwarders whom it supposed to regulate.
Its staff became restive and unrestrained, abandoned the core mandate of the council and started to hobnob with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria(MWUN) which eventually subsumed the council staff into its fold as one of its affiliate groups when the staff members were unionised by the labour union.
The purpose was to use the platform of the trade union to pressurize the council’s leadership to pay their accumulated salary.
When the situation became embarrassing and humiliating to the government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had to intervene by providing financial succour through the payment of the accumulated salary arrears in two tranches of five months each.
The last tranche was released recently shortly after the appointment of the incumbent Registrar, Mr Igwe Kingsley.
This scenario, as absurd and shameful as it was, signaled the beginning of the end of the Council, no matter the pretence among some incurable optimists.
As it stands now, the council has lost all relevance as a regulator, it has lost its dignity and prestige among the freight forwarders who the it is meant to regulate.
This sad reality was poignantly brought home after the surprise appointment of Kingsley as its Registrar.
Appointed from the fold of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), one of the five accredited freight forwarding groups, the incumbent Registrar is obviously unpopular among the freight forwarding operators.
Presently, other accredited freight forwarding groups have rallied themselves together to challenge the appointment of the new Registrar in court.
That is why the Registrar may not be able to bring the Council from its present precipice of total descent into  oblivion.
Unless the other freight forwarding groups rally their support round him, Kingsley’s tenure as the Registrar of CRFFN would be another flash in the pan, devoid of colour, character, impact and any developmental stride.
Unfortunately for the new Registrar, the present crop of staff in CRFFN have lost motivation for committed service delivery to the industry.
Their fears, which will be their major preoccupation, is for how long will the government give the council financial bail- outs to meet its obligations before the hand- outs dry up?
That is why we consider the so -called vision the Registrar purportedly has for the industry as a mere rhetorics devoid of conviction and purpose.
The tenure of Kingsley would be a defining moment in the life of CRFFN as it will either make or totally break the struggling agency.
Unless he enjoys the support of the disgruntled federating associations, no amount of financial bail -outs from government, no amount of interventions from government and no amount of vibes, vibrancy and commitment brought into the running of the council by Kingsley will save the CRFFN from taking the final plunge into the dark abyss of obsecurity.
Continue Reading

Freight Monitor

ANLCA’s factional crisis at Airport chapter worsens as Emenike suspends Bamgbala Adewusi over trump up charges

Nwokeoji, ANLCA President

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.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending