Comptroller Amajam Bukar Alhaji, CAC, FOU Owerri

The Nigeria Customs Service is empowered to seize any brand of unregistered imported rice wherever it is seen, since such items are a violation of the Nigeria Customs trade register, and can be safely classified as smuggled goods.

Customs Controller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Comptroller Amajam. B. A who disclosed this in his office at Owerri yesterday during a Press briefing, said the extant Customs and Excise Management Act, frowns at unauthorized imports, especially food items, which are considered unfit for consumption since these items lacks safety checks.

The Zone ‘C’ Unit in June recorded seizures with Duty Paid Value of N372, 233, 523. 00, in addition to the recovery of N12, 040, 949. 00 in underpayments. The figure shows a remarkable improvement on the Unit’s anti-smuggling activities on previous month, May 2017, in which N91, 868, 700. 00 was generated from seizures in addition to N10, 646, 477. 00 collected in Debit Notes for underpayments.

The FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri made a total of 91 seizures from January to June 2017 with a Duty Paid Value, DPV of N1, 735, 665, 304. 00. DN issued for under payments in the period under review amounted to N225, 112, 544. 00 only.

The seizures for June 2017 consist of 2,993 bags of rice loaded in a Mark Truck, 380 cartons of soap, 2017 model Range Rover Sport Jeep and 4,118 cartons of imported frozen poultry.

Other seizures are a Mercedes Benz G65 (AMG), 1x40ft container of assorted commodities including 10, 00 pieces of children bags, 303 pieces of suitcases, 15 television sets, 240 pieces of jewelry etc.

Amajam explained that all the seized items contravened extant fiscal guidelines. He further disclosed that other seized items in its custody are undergoing screening and investigations. He revealed that majority of the seizures were made by his patrol units in Benin, Enugu, Onitsha, Eleme and Mfum areas of the zone.

The FOU Controller also said that his officers and men arrested some suspects in connection with the seizures, explaining that while some of the suspects have been granted bail, others are still undergoing investigation, hinting that legal efforts for prosecution of indicted suspects by relevant departments of the Service and government are in progress.

“We arrested suspects in connection with some of the seizures a but were granted bail as the law stipulates. Let me at this point explain that the procedure is not to have any suspect in detention for more than 48 hours without an offer of bail. Most of the suspects met the bail conditions and have been released while we carry out further investigations and litigations”, he said.

Commenting further on about fifty bags of unapproved rice brand, allegedly bought at Aba market by its owner which was being transported to Port Harcourt before it was intercepted around Elele by his men, Amajam explained Customs operatives will continue to treat all unregistered imported goods as prohibited and unwholesome. He said such goods will be seized wherever they are found.

The new anti-smuggling czar in the zone vowed that his officers and men will continue to degrade smugglers illegal investments and ever newer antics in sabotaging the economy, as he enjoined those still in the unwholesome activities to seek legitimate ways of trade or face the wrath of the law. He urged importers and clearing agents to familiarize themselves with the import guidelines as a safe guard against engaging in unapproved imports or falling victim to fiscal prohibitions.

He said, “Though smugglers keep finding new ways to try to evade detection, the NCS will keep coming up with ingenuous and even better ways of nipping their activities in the bud. Evidence of our commitment can be seen in the quality of seizures and high duty paid value accruable to the government.

“Whilst I commend importers/traders that comply with the laws and regulations, we urge them not to relent. Intending importers/exporters are encouraged to become familiar with applicable laws and regulations to avoid being on the wrong side of the law. Those engaged in the negative act of smuggling should have a rethink and make a positive attitudinal change and engage in legitimate trade. We will not relent in our efforts, we will continue to live up to our responsibilities to bring smuggling to its barest minimum in the zone.”