Anxiety Grips ANLCA Airport Chapter Over Bangbala Adewusi’s Tenure Expiration

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—-Tope Akindele Insists Compliance to 2023 Court order Sacking Adewusi

—-Fear Grip Members as Secretariat Militarised

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The battle for the Chairmanship seat of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at the Lagos Airport Chapter has resurrected again following the supposed expiration of the tenure of the Chairman, Bangbala Adewusi.
There is fear of looming chaos at the airport chapter, even as the Chairman, Adewusi Bangbala was accused of militarising the secretariat in order to prolong his stay in office.

Speaking with DAILY TREND on Wednesday at the airport, Mr Tope Akindele, a strong contender for the Chairmanship seat who was sworn in last year by the ANLCA National Executive Committee (NECOM) insisted that Adewusi Bamgbala’s tenure has officially ended on Tuesday 14th 2025 based on the ANLCA Supreme Constitution of 2013 as amended.

Akindele was sworn into office last year by NECOM, however due to the ongoing crisis, he could not resume office.

In a chat with our correspondent, he accused the Chairman of militarising the secretariat in order to continue to perpetuate himself in office illegally.

Akindele also alleged that the Commissioner of Police at the Lagos Airport Command was working hand in hand with Bamgbala, providing him protection, even in the face of a clear court judgement that have sacked him from office.

Speaking, Akindele said “The final case and judgment of the court were delivered on June 22, 2023. This judgment invalidated the chairmanship seat due to the illegality of the January 15, 2022, election. The judgment remains unchallenged, with no appeal or stay of execution.

“The court had previously issued an order in February 2019 that no election should be conducted pending the determination of the suit. However, against this order, the election was held in January 2022, which the court later nullified.

“Despite the judgment, its execution was delayed as there was no sitting president in ANLCA then. When the new NECOM assumed office, the judgment was presented in court to request the removal of Adewusi Bamgbala occupying the chairmanship illegally.

“A panel was set up to investigate the judgment’s authenticity, and a comprehensive report confirmed its validity, recommending Adewusi to vacate the position.

“The president of ANLCA formally communicated this decision to security agencies, indicating changes in leadership at the Airport Chapter. However, Adewusi Bamgbala refused to comply, leading to his suspension by NECOM for violating the association’s constitution.

“Subsequently, Adewusi rushed to the court and filed a lawsuit in June 2023 against the president, the board of trustees, NECOM, and myself, alleging threats to his Chairmanship seat, despite being in office illegally.

“The association ratified the 2013 constitution during our NEC meeting last year, Adewusi was part of that meeting, establishing a three-year tenure for chapter executives and a four-year tenure for NECOM. Many members that were elected into office in 2022 the same time with Adewusi have complied with these constitutional provisions and vacated their positions upon the expiration of their tenures.

“He has been urged repeatedly to honorably vacate the office for peace and stability in the association. Meetings have been held to address the matter, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the constitution”

Tope Akindele continued that Adewusi Bamgbala’s resistance to compliance has caused tensions, with allegations of external support and protection exacerbating the situation.

He informed that the association has called for several peace meetings and were even ready to pardon many of Adewusi’s alleged sins, including an alleged fraud running into millions of Naira.

He urged Bamgbala to step down and respect the rule of law to avoid further conflict or embarrassment

Akindele also alleged that the illegal executive of Adewusi Bamgbala have since deserted him, leaving only him and Vice Chairman running the affairs of the association.

He said “Seven executives were elected illegally to that office in 2022. At the end of the day, one died, leaving six. Three of them—the PRO, the secretary, and the treasurer—left the office. This left two individuals, Chairman and Vice, running the administration for the past three years.

“One of them, the secretary, was invited to testify during the investigation of fraud but denied his involvement. They openly distanced themselves from the activities of Adewusi Bamgbala, stating they were not part of his actions.

“The situation has become increasingly frustrating, and they have denounced him severally

“If seven executives were elected and only two remain, it makes little sense for him to still occupy the office. It does not hold any legitimacy or value under these circumstances” he concluded.

Speaking with DAILY TREND, Adewusi Bamgbala debunked allegations that he militarised the association’s secretariat in order to continue perpetuating himself in office.

According to him, his certificate of return, which was sighted by our correspondent, states clearly that his tenure expires January 16th 2026.

According to him, the security agencies presence at the secretariat is at their own volition and not on his invitation.

“Everyone of the security agencies at the airport are on the same page as far as the ANLCA airport issue is concerned. They want to protect the sanctity of the Airport because this is a highly volatile area.

“There is no problem here at the airport, we are working, we are all law abiding citizens. So, if the police hear information from anywhere, they have rights to come here.

“The matter is already in court and we have been talking as brothers to find a way to resolve this matter. But suddenly Joe Sanni started writing a lot of things which was further heating up the polity, and since he wrote those articles, none of the executives have cautioned him to stop, this means that they are the ones sponsoring him. He must be invited by the DSS because his writeups is what is causing all this confusion, I never spoke to anybody

“I want to make it clear to you that there is no problem at this chapter, the NECOM is the one listening to rumor mongers to cause problem here” he said

When our correspondent inquired about the internal discussions between him and NECOM to settle the leadership tussle, Adewusi said “We have not been able to reach any agreement, we just started talking. They are asking me to hand over to Tope Akindele who has not stood for any election, I did not even say no, because its their demand, we are still discussing, and now you are shouting, are you trying to force me to do what is not right?

“You are sending people to me that you want reconciliation, but from all indication, you are not being sincere, they are listening to rumor.
The president should be for every member and not for few people”

“What brought me into office is that constitution of four years single tenure, and that is what I am abiding by, no order certificate was given to me other than this” he said

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