Nigeria Customs Service Denies Allegations of Extortion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Strategic Insights -

An American returnee, Oke Adhekegba, had accused the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of extortion. However, the command has countered the allegations, stating that they had commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the facts of the matter. The Comptroller in charge of the command, Effiong Harrison, explained that the items declared by Adhekegba were assessed at $1,948.15 USD, and the applicable charges, including Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) charge, Import Duty, Surcharge (SUR), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Levy, and Value Added Tax (VAT) were computed, amounting to N1,000,004.00, which has since been remitted into the Federal Government's coffers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the facts of the alleged extortion against an American returnee, Oke Adhekegba.
  • The Comptroller in charge of the command, Effiong Harrison, stated that the items declared by Adhekegba were assessed at $1,948.15 USD and the applicable charges, including Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) charge, Import Duty, Surcharge (SUR), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Levy, and Value Added Tax (VAT) were computed, amounting to N1,000,004.00.
  • The command emphasized its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and integrity, stating that it does not condone unethical behavior or compromise of standard operational procedures by its personnel or members of the traveling public.
  • The command assured the public of its commitment to facilitating legitimate travel and trade while upholding zero tolerance for misconduct or abuse of process at all ports of entry.

Statistics:

  • The items declared by Adhekegba included 15 pairs of footwear, 22 bottles of perfume, 12 pieces of bags, and numerous new clothing.
  • The assessed value of the items in USD was $1,948.15.
  • The applicable charges, including Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) charge, Import Duty, Surcharge (SUR), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Levy, and Value Added Tax (VAT) were computed, amounting to N1,000,004.00.
  • The command has remitted N1,000,004.00 into the Federal Government's coffers.

Sources:

  • Statement by Usman Abdul, Public Relations Officer, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
  • Statement by Effiong Harrison, Comptroller in charge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
  • Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.