*Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, condemns the ‘audacious attempt’ of importers to introduce such a large quantity of expired Tomato concentrates into the country’s market is heartless, inexcusable and disheartening, warning such importers and their agents against the harmful and unlawful practices

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In a bid to prevent unsafe food products and protect the well-being of consumers, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Friday, October 6, 2023, announced the Service intercepted and seized 20 containers loaded with expired tomato concentrates at Tin-Can Island Port, in Lagos State.

绿帽献妻 reports Adeniyi, who stated this while displaying the seizure, disclosed the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) Command of the Service had seized the harmful Tomato concentrates with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N116.2 million August 8, 2023.

Impounded cargo container numbers

The Acting Customs CG revealed that the container numbers used to import the expired concentrates are as follows: ACLU 2790243, GCNU 1275582, GCNU 1303278, GCNU 1336137, GCNU 1361905, GCNU 1316824, GCNU 1323314, GCNU 1324727, GCNU 1326210, SEGU 3388813.

Others are, ACLU 2800629, GCLU 13218553, GCNU 1340991, GCNU 1353290, GCNU 1340991, GCNU 1353290, GCNU 1302570, GCNU 1308140, SEGU 3333426 and SEGU 3338351.

Adeniyi explained the consignments of expired tomato concentrates, imported by Nikecristy Investment Limited, were falsely declared as almond shells.

He stated: “We stand before you to announce a remarkable seizure at PTML.

“We have successfully intercepted and detained staggering 20 containers filled with expired tomato concentrates, an unprecedented event since the inception of this Command.

鈥淥n the 8th of August, 2023, during a routine examination, our vigilant officers at PTML uncovered a cache of expired tomato concentrates, deemed unsafe for human consumption.

Adeniyi also said: “The audacity of the smugglers to attempt introducing this hazardous product into the Nigerian market is both shocking and disheartening.

鈥淭hese expired tomato concentrates were concealed within 20 containers, each falsely declared as containing almond shells, all under the auspices of a company identified as Nikecristy Investment Limited.”

Duty Paid Value of illegal cargo

He further stated: “In each container, 80 drums were meticulously arranged, amounting to a total of 1,600 drums.

“The Duty Paid Value of this illegal cargo is a staggering sum of N116.2million.鈥�

The Nigeria Customs Comptroller General said the operation that led to the seizure aligned perfectly with his goals and leadership set for the Service.

According to him, the Customs Service’s primary objectives is to curb smuggling, safeguard national revenue, ensure the security of the nation and promote legitimate trade and businesses.

鈥淎s of now, all these containers remain in our custody, officially recorded as seizures.

“We have apprehended one suspect, Mr. Okonkwo Oliver Izunna, who is currently under administrative bail but remains under investigation,” said Adeniyi.

He noted, “this seizure, which was processed through three separate Single Good Declarations (SGDs) forms, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to maximally suppress smuggling and our determination to safeguard the lives of Nigerian citizens by intercepting dangerous imports such as these.

鈥淭he actions taken by those involved in this unlawful activity contravene the provisions of sections 228(1) and (2), 55 (c and d), and 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. Additionally, it directly violates Schedule 4, item 14 of the Common External Tariff (CET) 2022-2026.鈥�

Strong warning to importers and agents

Adeniyi, however, warned importers against importing products that would endanger the lives of Nigerian consumers.

The NCS Chief stressed that an attempt to introduce such a large quantity of expired food products into the Nigerian market is heartless, inexcusable and disheartening.

He as well said: “I would like to take this opportunity to send a stern warning to importers and their agents, urging them to steer clear of unlawful practices, such as false declarations aimed at evading duties or smuggling prohibited goods into our country.

鈥淭he audacious attempt to introduce such a large quantity of expired food products into the Nigerian market is heartless and inexcusable.”

Adeniyi told Nigerian consumers: “I want to assure you that our officers and personnel will always remain vigilant, diligently scrutinising all import and export consignments passing through our seaports, airports, border stations, dry ports, and terminals nationwide.

鈥淚t is essential to reiterate that compliant automobile importers and their agents can now expect streamlined clearance processes, with consignments being cleared within three hours when importations adhere to our regulations, involve honest declarations, and prompt payment of customs duties.鈥�

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