REJOINDER TO THE INACCURATE PUBLICATION BY BOLA ASHIRU IN THE NATION’S NEWSPAPER OF TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER, 2026 – SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
Bola Ashiru Balogun
REJOINDER TO THE INACCURATE PUBLICATION BY BOLA ASHIRU IN THE NATION’S NEWSPAPER OF TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER, 2026 – SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT.
The Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents were astonished and surprised by the inaccurate publication by Bola Ashiru in the above newspaper.
To set the records straight and dispel the delibrate distortions in the publication, we state as follows:
(1). ON THE JUDGMENT OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE LIFU OF 5TH MAY, 2023.
While it is true that the Judgment was in favour of Bola Ashiru and that the appeal filed by the Board of Trustees was withdrawn, however and contrary to the claim in the publication, there is still a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal Lagos division filed by Bamgbala Adewusi with Appeal No: CA/LAG/PRE/109/CV/56M2/2025. The said appeal is still ongoing.
Furthermore, and contrary to the publication, Mr. Tope Akindele is the Chairman of the Muritala Muhhammed Ikeja Chapter of ANLCA by virtue of the Judgment of Honourable Justice Emmanuel. O. Ogundare of the High Court of Lagos delivered on 22nd June, 2023 in Suit No: BD/3134GCM/2019.
(2) ON THE JUDGMENT OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE LEWIS ALLAGOA DELIVERED ON 8TH OCTOBER, 2026.
Immediately after the above Judgment of 8th October, 2026, the Lawyer to Board of Trustees and the NECOM of ANCLA on 9th October, 2026 filed a Notice of Appeal and an Application for Stay of Execution. In effect, the said Judgment had been appealed against and an Application for Stay of Execution is pending.
(3). ON THE JUDGMENT OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE. R. M. AIKAWA.
The said Judgment was against the then former Board of Trustees which the Court held not to have been lawful registered.
However, and subsequent to the said Judgment, a fresh election for the Board of Trustees was held and thereafter the new elected members were registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission vide a Certificate of Registration No: 6754 dated 24th November, 2025.
(4). ON THE LEGAL ADVISE BY THE LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE.
The said advice is of no relevance as it cannot override or upturn the Judgment of Honourable Justice Emmanuel. O. Ogundare of the High Court of Lagos delivered on 22nd June, 2023 in Suit No: BD/3134GCM/2019 which affirmed Mr. Tope Akindele as the Chairman of the Muritala Muhhammed Ikeja Chapter of ANLCA.
Furthermore, an administrative, investigative or prosecutorial advice cannot in itself override or upturn a subsisting judgment of a Competent Court of Records.
(5). CONCLUSION.
Flowing from the above we urge all the relevant agencies in our sector and the general public to ignore the publication by Bola Ashiru for the following reasons:
i. An appeal against the Judgment of Honourable Justice Lifu is pending at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.
ii. A Notice of Appeal and an Application for Stay of Execution has been filed against the Judgmdnt of Honourable Justice Lewis Allagoa.
iii. The current Board of Trustees are legally and validly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission by virtue of the Certificate of Registration No: 6754 dated 24th November, 2025.
iv. The advice by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice is of no relevance as it cannot override or upturn the Judgment of Honourable Justice Emmanuel. O. Ogundare of the High Court of Lagos delivered on 22nd June, 2023 in Suit No: BD/3134GCM/2019 which affirmed Mr. Tope Akindele as the Chairman of the Muritala Muhhammed Ikeja Chapter of ANLCA.
v. Finally, Bola Ashiru is no longer a member of ANCLA.
Thank you.
Signed
BOT Chairman
