The Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Command, Comptroller Dauda Chana, has reiterated the commitment of the Service to facilitate genuine trade without compromising government policy, especially as they affect special economic areas like the Kano Free Trade Zone.

This was conveyed in a press statement signed on 25 April 2024 by the Superintendent of Customs, Public Relations Officer of Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Saidu Nuraddeen.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dauda Chana, noted that the government revenue through the operations of the Kano Free Trade Zone is untrue and has strategically positioned Officers to ensure due diligence is carried out in the management of finished products within the zone or from any of the excise factories under its watch.

He stated that those who accused Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of illegalities succeeded in displaying ignorance about the activities of the Service, especially in the areas of Duty, Import and Export processes and the laws guiding trade activities in the Free Trade Zones.

He further emphasised that the Kano/Jigawa Command recorded N613,369,204.81 between January and April 2024, as against N132,436,766.00 in 2023, which indicates an increase in revenue generation.

The CAC seized the opportunity to remind the general public that the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) regulates the zone’s activities.

He added that unless there is an intention of exporting to Customs territory, NCS Officers do not interfere with the Zone as it ensures the prevention of smuggling and duty evasion within all its areas of jurisdiction. According to him, records are always taken for proper duty collection and calculation.

Comptroller Chana reminded that the NCS is not the only government organisation in the Zone while restating that the Command will stop at nothing to adhere strictly to the law and defined rules of engagement.

“In the Free Trade Zone, there are productions taking place, there are manufacturing taking place, and the end product of all these are finished products, and for these to go out, duties are paid.” The CAC noted.

“It is also good for the public to know that goods or raw materials locally sourced are duty-free as well as exportation,” he stated.

The CAC gave more insight into the processes involved during the clearance of goods while exonerating the Officers and Men of the Service of any allegations of connivance with business owners.

“Let it also be on record that the process of clearance involves many stages, and we even have a unit domiciled in every Command that checks after clearance of goods cleared for anomalies, so no officer can connive because the documents are all intact to show what transpired. This makes the allegation of compromise baseless,” he opined.

…seeks their immediate arraignment in court

…fingers senior police officer of compromise

…seeks their immediate arraignment in court

A construction firm, Almajdal Limited, has alleged attempt by a Syrian fraudster and 14 other persons already charged to court for forgery, conspiracy and criminal conversion of its property, to scuttle their arraignment and subsequent trial in court.

To this end, the firm which accused a senior Nigerian police officer of working in partnership with the accused to scuttle the case, has appealed to the judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, handing the case to use his “good offices” to do justice by ensuring and giving a definite order to the prosecuting counsel that the defendants are arraigned in court and trial commenced.

kechukwu Okpalaelechi. Esq, from Indept Legal Consults, the solicitor to the applicant, in a motion before the court, prayed the court to give a definite order for arraignment of the defendants.

The other defendants were name in the suit numbers THC/ABJ/CR/98/2023, pending at the Federal High Court Abuja, as:”Barr. Victor Chinese; Mr Lawrence Umeadi; Mr Mojeed Olusola Kareem; Mr Femi Igbinosa Obakpe; Mr Akintunde Fatai Kareem; Daniel Opens; Richard Ohiefmi Enigbokan; Mr Emeka Magnus; Mr Ezeama Chukwuma; Chanel Rasbel; Romario Chamente and Hassan Kutrub.

The defendants were allegedly being used by the Syrian fraudster, Wail Kutrub, who is currently at large alongside his brother, Hassan Kutrub, to conspire, forge and convert the property of Almajdal Limited.

The applicant lawyers, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, claimed that a certain top police officer had impersonated him (IGP) in a letter seeking withdrawal of the case earlier investigated and charged to court by the AIG Zone 13 in Anambra State.

It wondered that the officer had the temerity to use the DIG, FCID name, to order a case file, investigated, and charged to court by the office of the AIG Zone 13 in Anambra State to be transferred to Abuja.

“Our client was reliably informed that CP. Ibrahim Zango, in an official capacity, wrote to the prosecuting counsel to withdraw the matter from the court.

“Our client informed us, and it is on record that in the course of the investigation, and till now, CP Ibrahim Baba Zango heavily interfered in this matter to ensure that the matter did not see the light of the day.

“We pray, Sir, to use your good offices to see that justice is done in this case. An investigation has been concluded. To ensure that all the defendants are arraigned in court on the next adjourned dare of March 13,2024, to enable the commencement of the trial.

“Our client’s signature was forged amongst other crimes committed against the state, nation, his company and his person. Our client also prays that you sternly direct, warn, and order CP. Ibrahim Baba Zango to stop parading your name in such an unholy interference in a matter be that is in court, “the petition read.

In his statement of facts, the solicitor explained that, “Our client is a businessman, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Almajdal Limited and Mashuchun International Limited. Sometimes in the year 2013, one Mr Wail Kutrub, a Syrian national, approached him for them to incorporate and operate a construction company. Thereafter, upon agreement, both resolved tht the authorised ordinary shares capital of the company shall be 10,000,000 shares, respectively. Unknown to our client, Mr Wail Kutrub had other sinister motives.

“In pursuit of his desire to cheat, our client in the allotment of shares of Almajdal Limited, Mr Wail Kutrub orchestrated and procured forgery of a signature purported to be our client’s signature in the allotment of shares and the particulars of directors filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja on the 9th of November, 2028, wherein only him 500,000 shares of Almajdal limited were alloted to our client instead of the 5,000,000 due to him.

“In the process leading to filing of documents with the Corporate Affairs Commission, and the company’s account opening, Mr Wail Kutrub requested that our client furnish him his means of identification, whereof our client sent Mr Wail Kutrub his driver’s license. In his criminal device to allocate fewer shares to our client than our client is entitled to as per the agreement, Mr Wail Kutrub, instead of forwarding the documents to our client to sign his signature, proceeded to forge his signature from our client’s driver’s license.

“Albeit, luck ran against Mr Wail Kutrub, who the signed a signature purported to be our client’s signature, which bears a resemblance to the signature of the authorizing officer on the driver’s license in lieu of our client’s signature.”

Prince Bassey Otu, Cross River governor, has initiated a large-scale rice project, spanning 50,000 hectares.

The endeavour is supported by a credit scheme, which sees the state allocating a whooping N150 million monthly, towards agricultural development initiatives.

The ceremony marking the commencement of the project took place in Ndok community, Ogoja local government area of Cross River, weekend.

Otu, at the event, affirmed his administration’s readiness to revolutionise the agricultural sector.

He stressed the need for a direct collaboration with rice farmers to meet the cultivation of the extensive 50,000 hectares.

“We are engaging with groups of farmers as part of our agricultural revolution, focusing initially on short-term cash crops like rice, cocoa, and cassava.

“We are also progressing towards the development of oil palm and rubber plantations,” the governor remarked.

Continuing, Otu said, “we are committed to working along with every farmer while ensuring the provision of essential resources and I extend this assurance to the traditional leaders based on our long-term commitment to this course.”

On a credit-guarantee scheme established to facilitate financial assistance for dedicated farmers, Otu encouraged individuals to seize the opportunity in order to enhance productivity, emphasising the need for proactive engagement in agriculture.

He charged the citizenry to take advantage of the numerous resources in the state to remain proactive while help in turning Cross River into an industrial hub.

Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Johnson Ebokpo Jnr, informed of government’s strategic approach to agricultural development, explaining the various policies put in place to attract private sector investments, while making agriculture the cornerstone of the state’s economy.

Ebokpo said: “Significant investments have been made in acquiring new tractors to enhance mechanisation efforts. The tractors, being distributed across the local government areas in Cross River will be managed by cooperatives, comprising men and women.”

According to the Agric Commissioner, “the initiative aims to empower the youths while supporting small-holder farmers in scaling up their operations.”

Chairman, Cross River Rice Farmers Association, Emmanuel Anoh, projected a minimum rice yield of 6 tonnes per hectare, translating to 140 bags of 50kg rice per hectare, hinting that the significant increase in production capacity was poised to transform the food industry in Nigeria.

Anoh also applauded government’s agricultural initiatives as he expressed hope that the result would tremendously benefit the populace and boost the sector.