Sealed Secretariat: ANLCA Members Salute Police IGP for Upholding Justice

By DAPO OLAWUNI

More than three weeks after the National Secretariat of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) was sealed by the Nigerian police, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has demonstrated unshaken resolve in ensuring that justice and fairness is served in the ongoing crisis in the association.

To this end, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba and Asst Inspector General of police Adeyinka Adeleke for exhibiting high level professionalism in its handling of the crisis in the association.

The involvement of the Nigeria Police Force is sequel to a petition by the registered BoT to the IGP to request for police protection on the ANLCA National Secretariat with a view to allowing for lawful resolution of the crisis that has engulfed the association in the past three years; through the enforcement of court rulings.

The BoT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha who spoke with press men on his assessment of the police conduct in respect of the sealed secretariat, said he was very impressed and expressed the hope that the ongoing enforcement will lead to a speedy resolution of all court cases attending the crisis; and also help to end the crisis once and for all.

Mustapha lamented that lack of enforcement of court rulings has largely contributed to the protracted crisis which emboldened lawless elements in the association to trample on the laws, and to perpetuate themselves in office contrary to court judgments.

His words: “We thank God that this time around, the Nigeria Police under the watch of the incumbent IGP has exhibited the expected professionalism, it is the role of the police to enforce court rulings, and l can say this AIG has been very thorough and professional.

“Since sending police men to the National Secretariat in response to the board request, plots to again undermine the enforcement have been effectively rebuffed, those who like to trample on the law think that they can continue to compromise the authorities, the police have disappointed them by remaining professional.

“The BoT is especially grateful to the IGP and of course the AIG Zone 2 Onikan Lagos and the Area F Commander for their professional conduct, for been able to keep the secretariat safe under lock.

“What this means is that the court processes will be allowed to run its course where final judgments in outstanding cases will be delivered, and once that is done, everybody will know where they stand.

“The crisis wouldn’t have dragged this long if the NECOM has not displayed the nauseating level of impunity they engaged in by disregarding court rulings, those of you in the media have witnessed their impunity even though majority have chosen to look the other way. They (NECOM) believe that with money, they will always get what they want.”

An insider also informed this medium that the IGP has directed the authorities in Lagos ensure that the BoT petition is consolidated, conclusively investigated and reports forwarded.

According to our source, above directive came on the backdrop of allegation that allegedly that some aggrieved individuals in collusion with the NECOM has been angling to have the case transferred out of Zone 2 which allegedly have snubbed every attempt to be compromised.

It will be recalled that the association’s secretariat was sealed by the police on February 16, 2022 based on the BoT petition which alleged impunity and disregard of court orders on the part of the National Executive Committee (NECOM).