Amidst Court Ruling, CRFFN Insists on POF Collection, Regulation of Licensed Customs Agents

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Mr Kingsley Igwe has said that the Council would continue to carry out its mandate of regulating freight forwarding in Nigeria, including Licensed Customs Agents.

At a press briefing held at the Council headquarters in Marina Lagos on Tuesday, Mr Igwe assured that the recent court judgement obtained by the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) would be Appealed by the CRFFN.

The CRFFN Registrar also affirmed that the Council would continue to collect its statutory fee; Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) from the NCMDLCA, and all licenser customs agents pending appeal of the matter in court.

Speaking at the press briefing, he said “The attention of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has been drawn to recent
viral reports on various media platforms regarding a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos on
26th May 2025, which has led to some misconceptions about the Council’s statutory mandate.

“I wish to express deep concern over how it was issued, reportedly without a hearing notice or representation of the
defendants named in the suit.

“The Council views the publication of this judgment as the work of mischief makers to derail the peace, reforms, and progress achieved in the freight forwarding sector in recent times. These achievements have been made possible through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the support of the
Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, CON”

While reeling out the mandate of the CRFFN under its Act No. 16 of 2007, Mr Igwe said the role of the Council included regulation and control of freight forwarding services in Nigeria, Determining the standard of knowledge and skill required for registration, Issuance of licenses and registration of freight forwarders, and Enforcement of discipline and professional conduct among practitioners.

According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, further reinforces the regulatory role of CRFFN over customs agents who operate within the freight forwarding value chain. Notably:
Section 106(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 states:

“A customs representative shall be a freight forwarder and shall be subject to the regulations and code of conduct of the
freight forwarding profession in Nigeria.”
This provision legally integrates Customs representatives into the freight forwarding profession, making them subject to
the regulatory control and code of conduct established by CRFFN”

On the court judgement obtained by the NCMDLCA which declared the collection of POF by the CRFFN illegal, he said the Council’s Legal Team is thoroughly reviewing the content, context, and legal implications of the said judgment and
reaffirmed that, where necessary, the Council will exercise its right of appeal, review, or clarification through competent
judicial channels.

The CRFFN boss insisted that the court judgement did not state that CRFFN should stop collecting POF, but that it merely declared the collection from Licensed customs agents as illegal.

He urged all practitioners to remain calm, law-abiding, and in full compliance with the regulations of the profession, while assuring that further guidance will be issued as developments unfold.