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Freight Forwarding Associations Reject Kingsley Onyekachi as CRFFN Registrar, Drag Oyetola to Court
Group photograph of members of the four registered freight forwarding associations.
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Four prominent freight forwarding associations under the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) have taken legal action against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over the recent appointment of Mr. Onyekachi Kingsley as the substantive Registrar of the Council.
In a joint press briefing held at the national secretariat of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in Lagos on Thursday, the associations—ANLCA, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (AREFFN), and National Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC)—unanimously criticized the appointment, claiming it violated due process.
ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, detailed the sequence of events leading to the controversial appointment. He noted that the registrar position had been advertised in 2023, with several applicants shortlisted for an interview that was eventually canceled.
“It was advertised, and a lot of people applied. Applicants were shortlisted and scheduled for an interview in Abuja, which they attended. However, the interview did not hold. To our surprise, the person appointed as Registrar was not even among those who applied,” Nwokeoji explained.
He added, “When the announcement was made, we sought clarity but received no satisfactory answers. The process did not follow what the law stipulates for appointing a registrar. Consequently, we decided to seek judicial clarification.”
Nwokeoji emphasized the importance of foundational integrity in appointments:
“Every structure starts with its foundation. If the foundation is weak or faulty, the end product will also be faulty. That is why we are in court—to ensure that the appointment followed the laid-down process. To our understanding, it did not.”
Yinka Bakare, President of NAFFAC, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the associations are not opposed to Mr. Onyekachi or his affiliation with the National Association of Government-Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).
“Our concern is not about who was appointed or their background but about the process and procedure of the appointment,” Bakare stated.
“We are seeking an interpretation of the law to ensure due process was followed. This is not against any individual or organization but about upholding the integrity of the system.”
The four associations collectively emphasized their unity in pursuing legal redress to address what they described as a procedural breach. They also reassured stakeholders that the matter is now before the courts, limiting further public commentary on the case.
The associations underscored their commitment to upholding the integrity of the CRFFN and ensuring transparency in the appointment process for key positions within the Council.
The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents was represented at the meeting by its President, Ifeanyin Anakwueze, while AREFFN was equally represented by its President,
Bala Daura.
Good morning, please the issue of this ongoing B, Odogu need to address as a matter of urgency. The system to frustrating to the extent we the clearing agent at PTML can not pay custom duties since two to three weeks now. As a result of this, the Grimaldi Management are busy calculating dumorage one this period for the Agent and Importers, when the problem was cause by the Nigerian Custom Service. Pls, let it be known to the National Assembly and Presidential Tax force on custom reform. Thanks.