The Nigeria Customs Service has refuted allegations of impropriety in the e-auction process for overtime/seized goods.
The service made its position known in a statement shared via its X handle on Saturday.
It was responding to a report titled “The Monumental Stealing By The Customs Auction Committee And Their Plans To Dispose-Off Overtime Containers.”
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders 100 per cent Compliance Team has recently leveled accusations against the NCS, alleging that over 300 vehicles were auctioned to a single individual through corrupt practices, involving significant under-the-table payments.
According to the association, only a nominal amount of N10,000 per vehicle was collected as duties for the Federal Government.
In response, the Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, stressed the NCS’ dedication to maintaining accountability and transparency in all its operations.
The statement read, “The NCS is a law-abiding government organisation dedicated to maintaining the most outstanding levels of accountability and transparency in all its activities and taking any accusations of improper behaviour seriously.
“We wish to categorically deny involvement in fraudulent activities or underhand dealings in the e-auctioning of vehicles or other goods.
“The NCS Auction Committee operates within the confines of the law and adheres strictly to established guidelines and procedures for disposing of seized/overtime goods.”
Regarding the particular accusation of auctioning over 300 vehicles to a solitary individual through illicit payments, Maiwada categorically labeled the assertion as “completely untrue, misinformed, and baseless.”
He additionally rejected the notion that a meager amount of N10,000 is accepted as duties during the e-auction process, stressing that the system adheres to transparency and regulatory standards.
“Regarding the allegation that over 300 vehicles have been auctioned to just one individual via the e-auction window after purported underhand payments, we wish to state that this is entirely false, misguided, and spurious.
“Furthermore, suggesting that a token sum of N10,000 is collected as duties to the Federal Government on the e-auction window, which has a reserved price of N400, 000 is indeed misleading and misrepresentation of fact,” he said.
Providing data on the e-auction process, Maiwada revealed that out of 13,605 applicants in five bidding windows, 462 individuals won auctions for 476 vehicles uploaded, generating N556,738,736 in revenue for the government.
In conclusion, Maiwada reaffirmed the NCS’ commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the public to support the service in promoting an inclusive system that benefits all Nigerians.
“We wish to reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in all our activities. We urge members of the public to join the service with the common goal of promoting an inclusive system that is fair to all Nigerians, irrespective of their status,” he added.