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Customs Rejects N50Million Bribe, Arrests Two Suspects with Illicit Drugs worth N550Million

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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.

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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.

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Bayelsa Hits N4.2bn Monthly IGR, Credits e-Ticketing System

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The Bayelsa State Internal Revenue Service has announced a historic increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue hitting N4.2 billion in a single month, marking a 320 per cent surge from previous figures.

The development, disclosed in a statement by BIRS on Saturday, was attributed to the introduction of an electronic ticketing (e-ticketing) system, which has eliminated cash leakages, curbed corruption, and improved transparency in tax collection.

BIRS chairman, Daniel Eniekezimene,
stated that the government transitioned to a fully automated tax collection system, ensuring that all payments from transport operators, traders, and businesses go directly into state coffers.

Unlike the old manual system, the e-ticketing platform generates instant receipts, making transactions traceable and reducing opportunities for extortion.

“This is a turning point for Bayelsa. We have blocked revenue leakages and ensured that every kobo collected goes straight into government accounts,” Eniekezimene stated.

A commercial tricycle operator, Isaac Tamuno, described the shift as a relief.

No individual is bigger than PDP – Bayelsa gov
He stated, “Before now, we never knew where our money was going. But with this e-ticket, we get receipts instantly, and no one can cheat us. It’s a big change for us.”

The chairman said the surge in IGR is expected to fund critical infrastructure projects, education, and healthcare.

Speaking on the significance of the revenue jump, Governor Douye Diri said, “This unprecedented revenue growth means we can now invest more in roads, schools, and healthcare. Our administration is committed to ensuring that every Bayelsan benefits from these reforms.”

Bayelsa’s success with e-ticketing is already being touted as a model for other states struggling with low IGR.

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Eniekezimene emphasised the broader implications of the reform.

“What we have achieved in Bayelsa proves that technology is the way forward. Other states facing similar challenges should consider e-ticketing to improve revenue collection and accountability,” he stated.

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Stock market declines further by N31bn

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Trading activities on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) on Thursday closed on a negative note, with the market capitalisation declining further by N31 billion.

Specifically, the NGX market capitalisation fell by N31 billion, or 0.05 per cent, to close at N66.109 trillion from N66.140 trillion recorded on Wednesday.

Also, the All-Share Index dropped by 0.05 per cent, or 49.26 points, to close at 105,426.12, against 105,475.38 posted the previous day.

The negative performance was attributed to reactionary behaviour exhibited by some investors.

The market breadth closed negative, with 29 losers and 23 gainers.

On the losers’ chart, John Holt declined by 10 per cent to close at N7.74, while Chams Holding dropped by 8.52 per cent to close at N2.04 per share.

Secure Electronic Technology fell by 8.42 per cent to close at 54 kobo, and May & Baker Nigeria lost 7.95 per cent to close at N8.10 per share.

Similarly, UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust declined by 6.90 per cent to close at N2.70 per share.

On the gainers’ chart, FG202031S1 rose by 12.09 percent to close at N97.52, while The Initiates Plc soared by 9.85 per cent to close at N4.46 per share.

Universal Insurance increased by 9.09 per cent to close at 60k, and Mutual Benefits rose by 9.09 per cent to close at 96 kobo per share.

Also, Royal Exchange gained 8.99 percent to close at 97k per share.

A total of 423.62 million shares, worth N9.181 billion, were exchanged across 11,393 transactions.

This is compared to 5.760 billion shares, worth N342.605 billion, exchanged across 10,908 transactions recorded earlier.

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Transactions in Access Corporation shares topped the activity chart, with 64.962 million shares worth N1.430 billion.

Zenith Bank followed with 41.504 million shares valued at N1.972 billion, while Fidelity Bank transacted 40.703 million shares worth N773.215 million.

Secure Electronic Technology sold 38.419 million shares valued at N20.832 million, and Tantalizers traded 31.503 million shares worth N89.914 million.

Meanwhile, Tajudeen Olayinka, Chief Executive Officer, Wyoming Capital and Partners, said that considering the recent impressive financial results released by United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank, the stock market should have followed a positive trend.

Olayinka attributed the negative performance to reactionary behaviour from some investors who were not pleased with Zenith Bank’s dividend and reduced share price.

He further described this as mispricing and misjudgment by some investors. (NAN)

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Senate Moves To Slash Data Prices, Calls For FG’s Intervention

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The senate has called on the federal government to take urgent action to address the rising cost of data services in the country.

During Wednesday’s plenary, lawmakers debated a motion sponsored by Asuquo Ekpeyong, senator representing Cross River south, highlighting the financial strain caused by recent hike in data tariffs.

Ekpeyong warned that the surge in data costs was a major setback for young Nigerians who depend on the internet for their livelihoods.

He argued that many young people use digital platforms for freelancing, e-commerce, content creation, and software development, making affordable internet access crucial to their economic survival.

“Telecommunication providers in Nigeria have recently increased the cost of data services by as much as 200%. A move that has placed significant financial strain on millions of Nigerians, especially young people who rely on the internet for their livelihood,” he said.

“Young Nigerians have embraced the digital economy, leveraging the internet for various income-generating activities including freelancing and remote work, direct marketing and social media management, e-commerce, content creation on various platforms, online training, software development, web design, mobile app creation, content creation of various platforms, online education, etc.

“The senate notes that young Nigerians have embraced the digital economy, leveraging the internet for their livelihood, leaving them heavily dependent on mobile telecommunications companies for internet access, and that the sudden and substantial increase in data cost threatens their economic survival and limits access to critical digital services.

“The senate is further concerned that the reasons provided by telecom providers for the data price hike, including high operational costs of favourable exchanges, are untenable, and appears that instead of addressing the root causes of the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, the burden is being unfairly transferred to end-users.

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“Senate is aware that the high cost of doing business in Nigeria is driven by multiple challenges, such as increased operational risk and insurance costs.

“The senate believes that urgent government intervention is required to ensure that affordable internet access remains available to all Nigerians, particularly to the young Nigerians who are at the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“The senate accordingly resolves to urge the federal government to engage with telecommunication providers to review the recent increase in data costs and ensure the pricing remains fair and affordable for all Nigerians.”

The motion was seconded by Titus Zam, senator representing Benue north-west, and received the support of other lawmakers.

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, criticised not just the rising cost of data but also increases in telecom charges and Pay TV tariffs, accusing regulatory bodies of failing to protect Nigerians.

“If you buy airtime or data, within minutes, you are out of it. Nigerians are suffering so much, and we cannot turn a blind eye,” he said.

Sadiq Umar, senator representing Kwara North, warned that the price hike disproportionately affects young people, who form a significant part of Nigeria’s workforce.

“These service providers must make life easier for young Nigerians, not harder. The government needs to step in before this situation worsens,” he said.

Lawmakers urged the federal government to engage telecom providers to review and reduce the recent increase in data costs.

They also called on the ministry of communications, innovation, and digital economy to develop a policy framework for affordable internet access.

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Lawmakers further recommended the creation of tech hubs across the country to provide free or subsidised internet for entrepreneurs, students, and innovators.

They also directed the senate committee on communications to investigate the factors driving high data costs and propose solutions to make the telecom sector more business-friendly.

Following the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a vote, and it was unanimously adopted.

Akpabio praised Ekpeyong for raising the issue, saying the intervention would support young entrepreneurs and ensure fair pricing in the digital economy.

“This motion, when implemented, will assist our young entrepreneurs, not only to remain in business but also to ensure that they have affordable pricing that allows them to generate profits,” he said.

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