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Post-Dikko: CRFFA Worried over Customs’ Direction

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Dikko Inde Abdullahi, former comptroller-general of Customs
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Thirty-five days after Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi exited, freight forwarders under the aegis of Concerned Registered Freight Forwarding Association, say they await the new CGC, col. Hameed Ali to hit the ground running.

The expectation of the freight forwarders may be disappearing for the slow starting of the new Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd).

The Freight Forwarders, who said expected to be saved from the inexplicable extortion in the ports, added they are getting disillusioned.

The freight forwarders in a statement made available to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek and signed by Eugene Nweke, national president, NAGAFF; Festus Ejiofor, national president, NCMDLCA; T. Agubamah, National President, NAFFAC and Frank Ukor, national president, AREFFN, said “The expectation has been that by now the CGC should have visited the ports and strategic border locations with a view to conferring with the stakeholders.

The Association said that to achieve the mandate of reforms, restructure and revenue collection we expect that the new CGC should start by conferring with the stakeholders with a view to obtaining first hand information.

“If Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) continues to confer only with officers it may be risky to the mandate of Mr. President and anti corruption crusade.

“At the moment the rate of corruption has increased because of uncertainty.  At present it is to grab whatever you can because you do not know what happens next.  The instances of alert application from unauthorized units of APM’s desk, valuation, CIU, enforcement and others have continued in a regrettable proportion.  The instance of frivolous and unsubstantiated demand notes from the valuation unit have become unbearable including the extortion therein.

“The Comptroller General should hit the ground and be running to maintain the tempo of the anti corruption crusade of Mr. President.  The impression at the ports at the moment is that he is being reluctant to effect his assigned duty especially wearing Customs uniform after 20 years of civilian life.  If he does not hit ground running on matters of corruption it may appear that Mr. President is not properly briefed about the corruption level in the Nigeria seaports and border locations.

“In the instance, there is the need to bridge the gap between the clearing costs at the seaports, airports and border stations.  The inherent differential in the cost of clearing goods out of Customs control at Jibiya border, Idiroko and Seme with Onne ports, Apapa and TCIP are so much without realizing that the importers compete in the same market.  Therefore the urgent need for universal application of value for imported goods in all Customs commands cannot be over emphasized.

“The expected reforms and restructuring of Customs is to the stakeholders an internal affairs of the Service.  The interest of stakeholders is to the extent the CGC shall ameliorate the level of extortion, over valuation of imports and the impunity of officers to act to the contrary on Customs laws and regulations.  The CGC warnings with regard to non compliance to import regulations on matters of concealment, false declaration and untrue declaration in general has created a huge panic in the Customs operations.

“The implication of the warning from Abuja without visiting the operational areas and recourse to issuance of demand notices over such infractions has created opportunity for the highest level of extortion in the ports.  The CGC seem not to realize that every offense against Customs laws in relation to revenue collection is about detention, seizure, investigation and prosecution.  The concept of smuggling as far as Customs matters are concerned is to the extent the exporter; importer, excise trader and licensed Customs agents attempt to evade Customs duty or importation of prohibited goods into Nigeria.

“The CGC should therefore be told that his pronouncement has increased smuggling activities in the Customs ports through concealment, false declaration, under valuation, wrong description of imports etc.  We shall be looking forward to meeting with him after the Sallah holiday because the Government is losing so much revenue at the moment.

“The Comptroller General should simply understand that some Customs officers who have been in the seaports by recycling their postings for the past 10 years must have to leave the port arena if he wants to tackle corruption in the Customs ports and border stations.  We must clearly state that we are tired of giving bribes in our profession.  The option is to do the right thing now with a view to supporting the crusade of change in Nigeria. Importers/exporters/manufacturers must be seen to do the right thing at the moment, and together we should build a greater Nigerian.

“Other measures shall include but not limited to revoking Customs licenses which are allegedly owned by serving and ex-customs officers, activating the Zonal offices for effectiveness, stopping of multiple alert systems and establishing a public data base for valuation of imported goods for Customs purposes.  When the CGC meets with the critical stakeholders like the freight forwarders and agents, we shall have the ample opportunity to speak our minds on so many issues that we feel will make him succeed in his mandate from Mr. President.  We are definitely putting finishing touches to the compilation of names of Government agents’ personnel’s that are so corrupt.  We hope that this should take place as soon as possible,” the statement read.

                       


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NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

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Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has denied reports that the federal government has introduced a new tax on vehicles.

NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

The clarification follows the circulation of a viral message online claiming that all vehicle owners would be required to start paying a new tax from July 1, 2026.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NRS said the information in the message is false and did not come from the agency or any official government institution.Nigeria Travel Guides

According to Dare Adekanmbi, spokesperson for the NRS, the viral message was designed to mislead the public. He explained that it was made to look genuine by using official government logos and formatting.

The message reportedly instructed owners of private, commercial, and corporate vehicles to pay an unspecified fee either online or through approved banks and agencies. It also included a website that was wrongly presented as an official government platform.

Adekanmbi stressed that the website mentioned is not connected to the government and warned Nigerians not to make any payments based on such information.

He said the NRS has not introduced any new vehicle tax and that any official policy or tax change would be properly announced through verified government channels.

The agency urged citizens to ignore the fake message and avoid falling victim to possible fraud. It also advised Nigerians to always confirm such information through trusted and official sources before taking any action.

The NRS further encouraged the public to follow its official communication platforms to stay informed about genuine tax policies, updates, and government directives.

 


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NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

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National Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed that piracy remains a major threat to the nation’s creative economy, vowing to intensify its nationwide crackdown on illicit networks to protect intellectual property.

NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

Pic credit…soundcloud.com

Dr. John Asein, director-general of the NCC, disclosed this in a statement to mark the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day.

The commission noted that piracy remains a major threat, undermining legitimate enterprise and eroding the economic value of creative works.

Asein lamented that inadequate distribution systems and limited access to books also constrain the growth of readership.

He described the event as an important occasion, which showcased the enduring value of books as foundations of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development.

He described the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Read Books, Respect Copyright,’ as a call on Nigerians to embrace reading as a lifelong habit, while recognising that respect for copyright is essential to sustaining creativity and rewarding authors.

The commission noted that Nigeria’s book industry has evolved significantly, from the post-independence emergence of indigenous publishing to today’s digitally driven ecosystem.

“Nigerian authors continue to gain global recognition, while publishers are expanding capacity. However, challenges persist,” he said.

The commission commended the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, describing it as a bold step toward repositioning intellectual property as a driver of economic transformation.

The policy, according to him, provides a roadmap for revamping the book sector for the benefit of authors and publishers, and is accessible at ippolicy.ng.

The NCC also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive access through the Marrakesh Treaty, as reflected in the Copyright Act, 2022, enabling accessible formats such as Braille and audio texts.

It urged Nigerians to respect copyright and purchase books only from authorised sources.


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Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

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Fusewall Holdings, founded by Azeez Amida, has announced the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Coloplus Worldwide Service Limited, in a move aimed at strengthening its position in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure space.

Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

Fusewall Holdings

The deal marks a significant milestone in Fusewall’s broader strategy to build an integrated and future-ready platform across key sectors, particularly within the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.

The transaction was led by Amida, whose role in structuring and executing the deal was described as pivotal. According to the company, his leadership helped align stakeholders and navigate complex negotiations to ensure a successful close while positioning the business for long-term growth.

A spokesperson for Fusewall Holdings said the acquisition represents “a deliberate step forward” in the company’s expansion strategy, noting that the focus remains on building platforms that combine operational efficiency, resilience, and scale.

Coloplus brings a substantial operational footprint to the deal, including access to about 900 partner locations and roughly 20 owned sites. This combination of reach and infrastructure control is expected to give Fusewall a strategic advantage as it scales operations nationwide.

Fusewall said it plans to deploy capital, strengthen governance structures, and enhance operational execution as part of the integration process. The move is expected to improve service delivery, boost infrastructure reliability, and support expansion into underserved and high-demand areas.

The acquisition also aligns with the company’s broader ambition to help bridge Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure gap by expanding connectivity, improving network resilience, and advancing digital inclusion.

Fusewall Holdings said the deal reflects its commitment to disciplined execution and long-term value creation as it continues to grow its footprint in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.


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