By Steve Agbota
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegations of bribery made by a 70-year-old US returnee, Mr. Olukayode David-Albert, who claimed that officers demanded N76 million to clear his two vehicles and personal belongings at the Tin-can Island Port.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to Daily Sun, the Public Relations Officer of the Tincan Island Port Command, Ngozi Okwara, dismissed the allegations as “untrue and misleading,” providing clarity on the situation.
Okwara said that going by the weight of the allegations, the Command considers it necessary to address them.
She explained that under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) 2022–2026, Nigerian citizens returning after residing abroad for at least nine months can bring personal belongings duty-free, but this does not include vehicles or goods meant for sale, barter or exchange.
“Consequently, while Mr. David-Albert is eligible to import his personal belongings duty-free, the two vehicles in his consignment are not exempted from duty payments. Specifically, the luxurious 2024 Hyundai SUV attracts an Import Duty rate of 20 per cent, a levy of 20 per cent, and a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 7.5 per cent, in compliance with Nigeria’s customs regulations,” Okwara explained.
She added that the Command assessed the appropriate duty value for the two vehicles at N34,969,374.00, far less than the N53.5 million compromise amount alleged in the publication.
“It is disheartening that Mr. David-Albert has resorted to making unsubstantiated claims in the media rather than complying with established procedures. The Command categorically states that at no point did any officer of the Tincan Island Port Command request for N76 million as alleged. If Mr. David-Albert has evidence of such misconduct, he is encouraged to come forward and identify the said officer for further necessary action,” Okwara stated.
The Command emphasised its commitment to its statutory mandate of trade facilitation and reiterated that it would uphold professionalism and fairness regardless of the situation.
“The Command further wishes to remind the public that one of the core roles of the Service is to facilitate the clearance of legitimate goods. However, the onus remains on Mr. David-Albert to meet the statutory requirements for duty payment. It is pertinent to note that similar regulations apply in advanced countries where Mr. David-Albert previously resided, and such behavior of attempting to circumvent due process would not be entertained there,” the statement read.
Okwara also urged the public to recognize the NCS’s dedication to transparency and professionalism.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to upholding transparency, professionalism, and fairness in its operations. The Tincan Island Port Command will continue to enforce the law without fear or favor while supporting legitimate trade,” she concluded.