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CRFFN Registrar talks tough over Court judgement nullifying collection of POF, declares Customs agents will continue to pay despite court ruling.

–vows to appeal the judgement. 

Funso OLOJO / Gloria Odion 
The Registrar of the Council for the  Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria(CRFFN), Mr Kingsley Igwe, has vowed that the Council will appeal the Lagos High Court judgement which nullified the collection of Practitioners Operating Fee(POF) by the CRFFN from Customs Clearing Agents.
It would be recalled that in 2018,  the National Council of Managing Directors of Licenced Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) approached a Lagos High Court in order to stop the collection of the controversial POF which commenced in 2017.
However, seven years later, on May 26th, 2025, Justice D.E Osiagor , ruled that the collection of POF from the Customs Agents by the CRFFN was illegal, contending that the council only have control over freight forwarders but not customs agents.
But in a swift reaction, the Council’s Registrar said the Customs agents are within the sphere of control of the CRFFN and are therefore mandated  pay the POF.
Quoting copiously from the Customs Act 2023, Mr Igwe said the Customs agents are part of the freight forwarding profession.
 ” The Nigerian Custom Service Act, 2023, further reinforces the regulatory role of CRFFN  over customs agents who operate within the freight forwarding value chain, notably Section 106, Subsection 4 of the Nigerian Custom Service Act, 2023, states, and I quote, a customs representative, if you like, a customs license agent, shall be a freight forwarder.
“I repeat, a customs representative, if you like, a customs agent, shall be a freight forwarder, and shall be subject to the regulations and code of conduct of the freight forwarding profession in Nigeria, in this case, a profession regulated by Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria”
” This provision legally integrates custom representatives into the freight forwarding profession, making them subject to the regulatory control and code of conduct established by CRFFN”
The council Registrar therefore vowed that the court judgement will be appealed.
” The Council’s legal team is thoroughly reviewing the contents, the context and legal implication of the said judgments and reaffirm that where necessary, the Council will exercise its rights of appeal, review or clarification through competent judicial channels”
The Registrar also condemned what he described as a secretive manner in which the court process was carried out without informing the defendants.
“I wish to express deep concern over the secretive manner in which it was issued reportedly without due notice to the defendants as named in the suit.
” Such a process somehow is contrary to expected principles and processes as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Council views this report as the handwork of some mischief makers to derail the peace reforms and progress achieved in the freight forwarding sector in recent times”
He said that the court judgement would not stop the Council from collecting the POF, ” because the appeal never mentioned that they should stop paying POF”
” It only declared it illegal. It didn’t say stop, henceforth.
“So the collection of POF is continuous. And as a matter of fact,this is not against court ruling”
” I want to be clear on that. Because court never said stop collecting. It’s two different things.
“So that people don’t misunderstand it that way. Then, we’re already almost at the point of submitting the appeal. And we will pass the same submission” Igwe declared.
He therefore urged the freight forwarding practitioners to go about their normal duties and continue to pay the POF.
Igwe also declared that the plaintiff, the Council of Managing Directors which instituted the court process is under the control of the CRFFN ” and they will pay and continue to pay the POF”
He therefore asked the freight forwarders to continue to discharge their obligations under the CRFFN by paying the required practitioners fee pending the matter is resolved in the Court.
“POF is not a tax or a revenue level. But a statutory fee gazetted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and created under the powers conferred on CRFFN by its establishing acts.
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Greg Ogbeifun confirms chairmanship of 10th AMSAY Conference Anniversary on May 27th.

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 
The organisers of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference have announced that  renowned ship owner and Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Ltd, Engr Greg Ogbeifun will chair the 10th anniversary of the event scheduled to hold in Lagos on May 27, 2026.
The announcement comes as preparations intensify for what is widely regarded as a landmark edition of the youth-focused maritime conference.
The 10th AMSAY Conference marks a decade of sustained youth engagement, innovation, and impact in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
It is expected to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and young professionals from across the maritime ecosystem.
Engr. Ogbeifun’s confirmation as Chairman adds significant weight to the anniversary event.
He previously served as the Pioneer Chairman during the maiden edition of the conference in 2016, and his return ten years later is described by the organisers as both symbolic and strategic.
According to the Convener and CEO of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi, the decision reflects a deliberate effort to connect the conference’s origins with its current status, noting that the AMSAY Conference has evolved significantly over the past decade.
He highlighted that several key initiatives now associated with the conference were not part of its original design.
 Among these are the Best Graduating Maritime Students Awards (BEGMASA); the  Fola Ojutalayo Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition (FOAMSC), including the Maritime Career Mentoring Program (M-CAMP).
These programmes, according to him, have become integral components and offshoot of the AMSAY Conference brand.
Speaking further, Obasi stated that the initiatives have delivered measurable impact in youth development and professional capacity building, even as he further described the growth of these programmes as evidence of the conference’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“Bringing Engr. Ogbeifun back after ten years is a strategic move. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey and showcase our achievements.”, the Convener said, adding that the anniversary edition will also provide a platform to draw from Engr Greg’s  wealth of experience and industry insight.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of AMSAY Conference, Mr Nnamdi Eronini hinted that the 10th AMSAY Conference is expected to feature robust discussions, mentorship engagements, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
He reaffirmed the organisers commitment to advancing the maritime sector through sustained youth engagement and innovation, noting that the event is positioned as a leading platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
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Customs

Oyo/Osun Customs Command collects 27.2billon revenue in Q1 2026

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has posted an impressive 95% increase in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Led by Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, the command generated ₦27.2 billion between January and March 2026, up from ₦13.97 billion in Q1 2025.
A breakdown of the generated revenue revealed that the command raked in a total sum of N5,977,766,941.65 in January 2026 which was about N2 billion lower (23% down) than the total sum of N7,804,408,776.88 collected in the same period of 2025.
However, despite a dip in January, revenue rebounded strongly in February and March.
 In February , the command’s revenue collection jumped up astronomically to a total sum of N8,767,974,864.40 against the very low total revenue of N2,289,193,870 realized in the corresponding period of 2025.
This year’s February revenue is over 383% higher than the revenue collected the same period last year.
February’s performance was the standout, with collections nearly quadrupling year-on-year.
In March 2026, Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative ingenuity and thoroughness further shored up the revenue generation of the command in the month under review to a total sum of N12,454,516,158.62.
 In the corresponding period  of last year, the command’s generated revenue was a patry sum of N3,877,668,667.
This year’s March revenue achievement represents 321% rise over last year’s.
 Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative reforms and enforcement measures are credited with driving the surge.
Overall, the command’s Q1 results underscore a significant improvement in efficiency and compliance, positioning Oyo/Osun as one of the strongest performing Customs Commands in the country.
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Headlines

NRC decries ceaseless attacks, vandalism on trains along Abuja- Kaduna rail corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has lamented the ceaseless attacks on its train operations along the  notorious Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor by suspected vandals and criminal elements.
In a statement by the Corporation,the latest incident occurred around Kilometer 177 along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, where some unknown persons reportedly gathered along the rail track and began pelting stones at a moving train, leading to damage to the windscreen of the leading locomotive.
The NRC noted with deep concern that within the last two weeks, similar attacks have also been witnessed in other locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village, Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, among others, a development it feared is posing serious danger to railway operations, passengers, and operational personnel.
The NRC management disclosed that similar incidents have so far been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor, thereby worsening the already challenging and stressful operational conditions under which the Corporation continues to provide essential transport services to Nigerians.
The NRC stated that these persistent attacks not only endanger lives and damage critical railway infrastructure, but also constitute acts of economic sabotage capable of disrupting national transportation and undermining the huge investments of the Federal Government in the railway sector.
The Corporation however assured that despite the unfortunate development, train operations have continued with necessary safety precautions and strict operational vigilance by railway personnel who have continued to demonstrate commitment and professionalism in ensuring that passengers reach their destinations safely.
The Management of the Corporation specially acknowledged the efforts and support of security operatives working tirelessly with the NRC to secure railway corridors and safeguard passengers and railway assets despite the persistent attacks.
It said it is currently working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance along the corridor, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
The NRC therefore called on residents and communities along railway corridors to support efforts aimed at protecting railway infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging criminal attacks on trains and railway installations.
NRC further expressed concerns that continuous attacks on railway operations could negatively affect smooth service delivery if urgent collective action is not taken to curb the menace.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to ensuring safe, secure, and efficient train operations across the country and assures passengers that every necessary measure is being taken to safeguard lives and railway assets” the statement concluded.
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