The Nigeria Customs Service on Friday said it had lost about N200m to underdeclaration of goods at the seaports.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, said this in Lagos while announcing the seizure of 16 containers, laden with tyres, valued at N120m.
He said, “The issuance of debit note has been abolished. Any underdeclaration or improper declaration of goods will not only lead to the confiscation of the items, the importer and whoever is involved will be made to face the law.
“From now on, any time we identify any false declaration of a consignment, we will follow what is specified in the law and that is total seizure of such cargo. The law allows us to prosecute whoever that is involved.
“Any officer involved in the issuance of debit note on any underdeclaration will be prosecuted along with the importer.
“We have lost close to N200m in terms of duty as a result of the misdemeanour.”
On the 16 containers of tyres seized, Ali said that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria had been invited to ascertain the credibility of the seized goods.
A clearing agent, Mr. Dominic Obichaku, had also been arrested in connection with the seizure.
Ali said that the importer of the seized tyres had taken advantage of the fast track system to move about 10 containers out of the port.
He said the agency would not hesitate to revoke the licence of the clearing agent while the importer would be prosecuted.
“All those involved in the importation of this cargo and their movement out of the port must be made to face the law,” the CG said.
Copyright PUNCH.
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