ANLCA Dissociates Self from Public Humiliation of Female Customs Officer At Tin Can Island Port Over Corruption

—Passes Vote of Confidence on Compt Dera Nnadi

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Coming on the heels of a viral video in circulation on social media where a female customs officer, Assistant Comptroller Isa A.M was publicly humiliated at the Car Park C of Five Star Logistics Terminal, Tin Can Island Port, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has dissociated itself and exonerated its members from the act which it described as despicable.

At a press briefing held at the ANLCA National Secretariat on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Mr Emmanuel Onyeme said members of the association were not part of the people that humiliated the customs officer.

Onyeme, assisted by the Chairman, Presidential Task Force of ANLCA, Goddy Sewa Soleji, as well as the Sole Administrator of the Tin Can Island Chapter of the association, Sunday Oforha took turns go defend the association, saying that ANLCA believes in the principle of dialogue, consultation and cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as other government agencies.

The ANLCA spokesman also passed a vote of confidence on the Customs Area Controller in charge of Tin Can Command, Compt Dera Nnadi, commending his open door policy.

“We called this press briefing in response to a recent incident. I’m sure you’ve seen the video circulating, showing an officer from the Nigeria Customs Service being publicly mistreated at Five Star Terminal, Car Park ‘C’ in Tin Can Island Port.

“The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), where we serve as licensed customs agents, values respect and collaboration with government agencies. We believe in engaging properly, even in difficult situations. Our approach is rooted in dialogue, consultation, and cooperation to ensure government revenue is generated through compliance” Onyeme stated

The ANLCA Spokesman stressed further, that on the day of the ill-fated attack on the customs officer, coincidentally, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi was in Lagos at the PTML Terminal for the launching of the B’Odogwu trade platform. He said that senior officials of ANLCA both at National and chapter level were with the CGC.

“During the CGC’s visit for the “B’Odogwu” pilot program at PTML Terminal, our Vice President, Zone Coordinator, SSA Media, and other executive officers were present.

“After the event, we saw the video of the incident at Five Star. ANLCA members were not involved, and we condemn the behavior exhibited. We adhere to the Customs Act, which outlines our role and engagement with government agencies.

“This briefing is necessary because there’s been media speculation about ANLCA’s involvement in the incident. We want to clarify: ANLCA had no part in this. If we were to take any action, it would be based on the principles of engagement, dialogue, and consultation, led by our National Executive Council (NECOM) and overseen by our leader, Mr. Emenike Kinsley Nwokeoji.

“The reason why i have Mr Soleji the Task Force Chairman and the Sole Administrator of our Tin Can chapter here is to confirm that neither they nor any ANLCA members were involved in this incident” he said

Continuing, he extolled the virtues of the Tin Can Customs Controller, saying “The Custom Area Controller of Tin Can Command, Controller Dera Nnadi, operates an open policy. He typically starts work as early as 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. and remains on duty until 10:00 p.m., readily available to assist people.

“Each day, he ensures that all documents submitted to his office are processed promptly. According to the policy, any document submitted after 6:00 p.m. is not accepted. However, if a document arrives before 6:00 p.m., he will review and sign it, even if this requires him to work as late as 11:00 p.m”

Also speaking, the Sole Administrator of ANLCA Tin Can chapter, Sunday Oforha corroborated the association’s spokesman, saying that every challenges being experienced by Customs brokers at Tin Can Port is being handled by the chapter in dialogue with the Customs Area Controller, hence there was no cause for its members to take laws into their hands or resort to violence.

“There was a period when customs transitioned from one system to another, causing temporary challenges, but these were resolved. Most issues with 846 arise from improperly routing vehicles for clearance. The Tin Can Customs Controller runs an open-door policy to address such concerns, and we are actively working to ensure smooth operations” he said

On his part, the Chairman Presidential Monitoring Task Force, Goddy Sewa Soleji maintained that ANLCA as an organization, have procedures for addressing its operational challenges, and that the one orchestrated against the female Customs officers was never from ANLCA members.

“Any protest by clearing agents who are our members, must first be authorized by the president and coordinated by the Presidential Monitoring Task Force.
However, this incident at Tin Can Port was unauthorized, and we were not informed beforehand.

“After it occurred, we conducted our investigation and found that no ANLCA members were involved. We remain committed to professionalism and believe in resolving issues through dialogue, not confrontation” Soleji stated.

Recall that the Nigeria Customs Service had on Monday reacted to the viral video in circulation.
In a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, he said the customs management takes these incidents very seriously and had directed the customs police unit to conduct an investigation.

“Following standard protocol, the service has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both videos.

“To ensure impartiality and thoroughness, the Customs Police Unit has been saddled to review the videos, gather statements from the officer in question, and engage relevant stakeholders associated with these incidents”