ANLCA’s Registered BOT Discredits AGM, Says Gov. Uzordinma was Tricked Into Attendance

The Registered Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have alleged that President Tony Nwabunike and his National Executive Committee (NECOM) as well as former board chairman Henry Njoku tricked the governor of IMO State, Chief Hope Uzordima into attending last week’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Concorde Hotels, at Owerri, the state capital.

This is even as the BoT described the AGM as illegal, as it warns the general public, lmo State Government and the Executive Governor not to associate with the NECOM and the “illegal” Board of Trustees they unlawfully constituted at Owerri in spite of a court order that has sacked NECOM and restrained it from any further official activities.

BoT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, in a statement made available to the press said, “On behalf of myself and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the conscientious and law abiding professionals of ANLCA, I wish to alert Nigerians and the general public, especially Imo State Government and the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Chief Hope Uzordinma, of a scheme to soil the person of His Excellency, who was deceived into attending an illegal Annual General Meeting of ANLCA, organized by the former National Officers of the association, who have been duly suspended by a competent court of jurisdiction, since August 2020.

“It is regrettable that the court suspended officers, knowingly deceived His Excellency into joining them and others in the illegal AGM held at the Concorde Hotel Owerri, last Wednesday, 16th December 16, 2020, in other to confer on the proceedings unmerited honour and attention.”

Mustapha urged His Excellency, Gov. Uzordinma, to shun further association with those he described as “law breakers and impostors,(especially Henry Njoku who boast around with his closeness to the Governor) since they have no authority whatsoever to carry out any business or act for or on behalf of ANLCA , in view of the two separate subsisting Court Orders.”

Mustspha said the BoT through suit number (FHC/L/921/2020) & (FHC/L/CS/599/2020), was granted judgment restraining them from parading themselves as National Officers of ANLCA; and the other court order upholding the existing registered BOT.

“On behalf of myself and fellow board members, Chief Dennis Okafor, Chief Enerst Elochukwu,Prince Taye Oyeniyi and Mr Dayo Azeez, l wish to further appeal to His Excellency, Governor Uzordinma to beware of those who cunningly invited him over to the illegal gathering, and to disassociate himself and esteemed office from whatever promises he may have been misled to give.

“l respectfully also urge His Excellency to shun farther association or partnership with them, purportedly on behalf of ANLCA, as the NECOM under the suspended National President, Tony lju Nwabunike does not have legitimate power to act on behalf of the BoT led by my humble self or on behalf of ANLCA .”

According to the BoT Chairman, above court orders were delivered by Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo and Justice Aikawa of the Federal High Courts of Nigeria, Lagos Division, in which Mr. Tony Iju Nwabunike and Chief Henry Njoku, were defendants.

He also appealed to all ANLCA members to be law abiding, be patient and be more resilient in the face of the current crisis within the association and in the maritime industry, noting that efforts is ongoing to resolve the present crisis, amicably.

He said, “I will like to appeal to the generality of our members to remain calm and stay away from every form of illegalities. The board is working very hard to dialogue and resolve all outstanding differences.

“The Owerri AGM is an act of lawlessness and affront to court orders. We should not be involved in activities that will further polarize us. The board is working very hard to get all hand on the deck towards resolving the challenges we are facing in our industry; and we are hopeful that solution is on the way” he said.