Business
Customs Rejects N50Million Bribe, Arrests Two Suspects with Illicit Drugs worth N550Million
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port Command, has impounded 2 by 40ft containers with Bill of lading No. 227578945 and 227898171 filled with unregistered Pharmaceutical products worth over the sum of Five Hundred and fifty million naira at the Sea Port in Lagos.
Speaking with Newsmen at the Command’s press briefing on 28th August 2023, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Kunle Oloyede, said his operatives exhibited a high level of professionalism in intercepting the illicit drugs carefully concealed in the containers to evade justice with the intention to bribe the officers.
“I instructed my officers to play along; the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect, but to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and release of the containers while offering gratification to the tune of N50,000,000.00 equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate of N920. “The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the Enforcement Unit to be tendered as an exhibit.” He explained.
Upon one hundred percent examination, the container was falsely declared to have, One Thousand and Sixteen (1,016) packages containing electrical goods, ceiling fans, 36 jewel (corper) and chilly cutters (stainless steel + plastic). Still, the container was found to conceal five cartons of Timaking, 120 Tapentadol cartons containing 50 rolls; each roll includes 5 packets, each packet 200 tablets.
Also, some Eighty-four (84) cartons of Gastro Resistant Omeprazole capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets; each packet contains 10 capsules. Eight Hundred and Seventy-six (876) cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing Codeine, each carton containing 200 bottles, and Fifty cartons of Manual Grater Machine with 70 pieces were included in each carton.
The other container was falsely declared to have One Thousand and Twenty-one packages containing Electrical goods, ceiling fans, 36 jewels and a chilly cutter but contained ten cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol). Each carton has in it 50 rolls containing 20 packets, with each packet containing 10 tablets.
Others include One Hundred and Five cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Four cartons of Barcadin with Codeine, 70 pieces of Fifty cartons of Manual Grater Machine and One carton of Compo Ceiling Fan.
Similarly, the CAC said following an intensive surveillance operation on a routine examination carried out at the command, a container was found to contain frozen poultry products.
He added that the Single Goods Declaration (SGD) and other supporting documents (Form M and PAAR) stated Tangerines were used to conceal imported frozen food products.
“The goods were falsely declared as they are under the import prohibition items. The container has been seized for contravention of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023″.
He said the persistent fraudulent nature of importers and agents has driven the Command to be more innovative in putting methods and measures to combating smuggling activities, and the Command will ensure that the Port will not harbour any illegal passage of prohibited items.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will not be a party to nefarious acts which jeopardize the safety of lives of the citizens of our dear country, Nigeria. Any fraudulent importer or agent who tries to perpetrate such acts will be prosecuted”.
Adekunle Oloyede assured all that the two suspects arrested in connection with the seizures will be further investigated and prosecuted accordingly.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Association of Labour Veteran and Trade Union Assembly has voiced its support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, claiming that food prices have significantly decreased across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the union’s interim president, Comrade Isa Tijjani, acknowledged the initial economic hardship faced by Nigerians at the beginning of Tinubu’s administration but insisted that government efforts had led to tangible improvements.
“At the start of this administration, the cost of food soared, and the nation was filled with cries of hunger and complaints. People were urged to be patient as the government worked towards solutions,” Tijjani said.
“Now, the President and his aides have worked tirelessly, and prices have come down drastically. However, I have yet to hear words of appreciation for their efforts. Recognising their achievements will encourage them to do even more for the nation.”
Tijjani, a former national vice-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, urged Nigerians to differentiate between constructive criticism and unwarranted opposition.
He emphasised that engaging with the government in a respectful and solution-oriented manner would yield better results than resorting to hostility.
“The President of this country today is Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Advising him in a humble and respectful manner will be more productive than adopting a confrontational stance. Constructive engagement achieves more than threats and name-calling,” he added.
Tijjani also condemned the recent act of violence in Edo State, describing it as a cowardly attempt to incite division and instability in Nigeria.
He welcomed the swift response of both the President and the Governor of Edo State in addressing the situation and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The labour leader further urged union members to participate in the upcoming General Executive Council meeting, where the union’s position on national issues will be formalised and disseminated at all levels of governance, from the state to the local and ward levels.
The Tinubu administration has faced criticism over the country’s economic challenges, including inflation and currency depreciation. However, government officials have maintained that their policies will yield long-term benefits for Nigeria’s economy.
Sterling Bank has announced the removal of transfer fees on all local online transactions.
The move was confirmed by the bank on Tuesday in a press release.
The development makes it the first major Nigerian bank to eliminate the contentious charges for digital banking.
The statement noted that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to customer-centric banking, declaring that the zero-transfer-fee policy is real and effective immediately.
The initiative is expected to bring significant relief to individuals and small business owners who conduct frequent transactions.
The bank’s Growth Executive in charge of Consumer and Business Banking, Obinna Ukachukwu, described the decision as a values-driven approach aimed at ensuring fair and inclusive banking.
“We believe access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty.
“This is more than a financial decision—it’s about redefining banking to put customers first,” he stated.
Under the new policy, Sterling customers will not be charged for local transfers conducted via the bank’s mobile app.
Ukachukwu emphasised that the bank’s decision is about more than just competitive strategy.
He said, “We’re not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but we’ve been the boldest.
Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.
The Central Bank of Nigeria dismissed a report claiming it had introduced N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes to facilitate cash transactions as false.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, the apex bank described the report as fake and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
“The content is not from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng,” the statement read.
A statement from the CBN’s communications department further clarified, “The only official sources for releasing statements to the media are our website or statements from our department. There is also no Deputy Governor by such name. We are investigating the source of this fake content.”
The report quoted one Deputy CBN Governor, Ibrahim Tahir Jr., the move is aimed at reducing cash-handling costs and providing Nigerians with more efficient means of conducting large transactions.
“The introduction of these new high-value denominations aligns with global best practices and will enhance economic activities while reducing the stress associated with carrying large amounts of cash,” the Governor stated. The CBN said there is no such name in its leadership.
“The new N5,000 note will feature the portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, while the N10,000 note will showcase Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, both in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s development.
“Additionally, the new notes will incorporate enhanced security features, including color-changing ink, holograms, and anti-counterfeiting technology, making them impossible to replicate,” the fake report stated.
The fake report also said the nationwide rollout would begin on May 1, 2025, with commercial banks instructed to start issuing the new notes via ATMs and over-the-counter transactions.