Ogun Customs Generate N21.657bn In 2023, Release N24.489m Seized Two Years Ago

The Ogun II Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it generated a total of N21.657 billion as revenue for the year 2023.

Bisi Alade, Ogun II Area Controller, made the revelation during the handing over of the sum of N24,489,500.00 and a bullion van it confiscated on April 22, 2022.

He reiterated the service’s efforts in continous discharge of its statutory mandate to encourage trade, production and expansion of industrial activities in the state.

“The command generated a total sum of over N2. 042 billion as revenue only for the month of November 2023, while a total revenue generated for the year 2023 stood at over N21. 657 billion.

“The service will not relent its efforts in discharging its statutory mandate as empowered by the law. We shall continue to encourage trade, production and expansion of industrial activities in Ogun State, as well as continue to deploy intelligence for effective monitoring and robust stakeholders’ engagement in our operations.”

On the siezed money, Alade said the sum belong to Access Bank PLC Abeokuta Branch while the vehicle with registration number FKJ 993 BZ belong to Warehouse Ltd.

Alade disclosed that both the vehicle and the money were detained by officers and men of the Joint Border Patrol Team for being used to conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each into the country.

He said, “On the instruction of the Comptroller General Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, we gather here today, to release the bullion van with registration number FKJ 993 BZ in our custody.

“The vehicle belongs to Warehouse Ltd while the money belongs to Access Bank PLC, Abeokuta Branch and both were detained by the Officers and Men of the Joint Border Patrol Team for being used to conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each.

“On 22 April 2022, officers and men of Joint Border Patrol Team at the Olorunda axis, in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State, intercepted the used bullion van with Reg. No. FKY 993 BZ found to have concealed some bags of foreign parboiled rice and N24,489,500.00, along the Sokoto-ljoun/Joga road, Abeokuta axis of Ogun State.

“The foreign parboiled rice which were 12 bags of 50kg each were carefully concealed in the said vehicle.

“Consequently, the said vehicle and the items were conveyed to the Customs House, Abeokuta for safekeeping. After conducting examination on the vehicle, the said amount of money was discovered and deposited at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abeokuta branch for safekeeping.

“The vehicle was detained while the rice was converted to seizure in line with section 168 of Nigeria Customs Service Act,2023.

“In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail and subsequently charged to Court for aiding smuggling.

“In a bid to retrieve the detained bullion van and the money, the Bankers Warehouse Ltd and Access Bank wrote an appeal letter to the Controller General of Customs, for release on compassionate ground. Based on the outcome of the investigation and recommendations of the Investigation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, the CGC granted approval for the release of the detained van and the money in line with the provision of section 248 (1) and (2) of NCS Act, 2023.”