The Tincan Island Port Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that a suspect, Boniface Ike, offered a bribe of N50 million to one of its officers in exchange for the release of his seized container.
Comptroller Adekunle Oloyede, the Command Area Controller, made this disclosure during a news conference in Lagos on Monday.
According to Mr Oloyede, the seized products were allegedly imported from India by the suspect.
Mr Oloyede stated that the suspect and one of his accomplices are currently in custody at the command’s Enforcement Unit as part of the investigation process.
The suspect, who allegedly confessed to being the importer of the seized containers valued at N550.3 million, requested a private discussion with one of the officers.
“I instructed my officers to play along; the request was granted in expectation of receiving vital information from the suspect.
“But to their bewilderment, the suspect pleaded for his freedom from detention and the release of the containers.
“He offered gratification in the sum of N50 million, which is equivalent to $54,330 at the current exchange rate of N920.
“The money was collected and kept in safe custody at the enforcement unit to be tendered as an exhibit,” he said.
The customs boss revealed that the command received timely intelligence from its Customs Intelligence Unit regarding the suspected importation of illicit dangerous drugs (unregistered regulated pharmaceutical products).
Mr Oloyede disclosed that the products were concealed in two 40ft containers with Bill of lading Nos 227578945 and 227898171.
“Upon the vessel’s arrival at the Tincan Island Container Terminal (TICT), the containers (MRSU 592397/0 and MRKU 553432/1) were immediately transferred to the enforcement station for 100 percent physical examination and further investigation.
“The physical examination was conducted on both containers by enforcement officers, Customs Intelligence Operatives, Customs Police, and Examination officers of the Terminal on August 22 at about 14:00 hours and August 23 at about 13:00 hours, respectively.
“The following were discovered in container No MRSU 592397/0: The details on the Bill of Lading with No 227578945 stated that the items laden were (1,016) packages containing electricals, ceiling fan, 36 Jewel (cooper), and chilly cutters (stainless steel plastic).
“After examination, the container was found to contain five cartons of timaking 120 tapentadol (Tramadol) hydrochloride carisoprodol capsule.
“Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains five packets, and each packet contains 200 tablets,” he said.
Other contents, according to him, are 84 cartons of gastro-resistant omeprazole capsule BP 200mg, each carton contains 50 packets, and each packet contains 10 capsules.
“876 cartons of CSMIX cough syrup containing codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 bottles.
“50 cartons of manual grater machine-70 pieces per carton and one carton of a ceiling fan as means of concealment,” he said.
Mr Oloyede mentioned that container No MRKU 553432/1 had the details on the Bill of Lading with number 227898171, which contained 1,021 packages of ceiling fan, 36 jewel (cooper), and chilly cutter (stainless steel plastic).
He stated that after examination, the container was found to contain 10 cartons of Super Royal 225 (Tramadol).
“Each carton contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packets, and each packet contains 10 tablets.
“Other contents are 105 cartons of Omeprazole Capsule BP 200mg. Each carton contains 50 packets, and each packet contains 10 capsules, 754 cartons of Barcadin with Codeine (each bottle 100ml). Each carton contains 200 Bottles.
“50 cartons of manual grater machine – 70 pieces per carton and one carton of compo ceiling fan as means of concealment,” he said.
Mr Oloyede revealed that the unregistered pharmaceutical products intercepted were regulated products by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He also stated that they had no required permits and certificates for importation, and there were no documents to ascertain the safety of the products for Nigerians.
The customs boss emphasized that the service would not be involved in any acts that jeopardize the safety and lives of the citizens of the country.
He added that any fraudulent importer or agent attempting to perpetrate such acts would be prosecuted accordingly.
Mr Oloyede noted that the suspects, containers, and the exhibits would be handed over to the agencies responsible for regulating and prosecuting offenders of such crimes.
In a related development, he mentioned that on August 24, the command intercepted a container found to contain frozen poultry products.
According to him, the interception followed an intensive surveillance operation and a routine examination at TICT of Container No. TTNU 804678/9 with a declaration lodged on SGD CNo: 70754.
“Single Goods Declaration (SGD) and other supporting documents (Form M and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) showed that tangerines were used to conceal the imported frozen poultry products.
“The goods were falsely declared, as they are trade-prohibited. The container has been seized for contravening Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023).
“The persistent fraudulent behavior of importers and agents compels us to be more innovative in implementing methods and measures to combat smuggling activities, ensure no leakage of revenue to the government, and prioritize the safety of Nigerians,” he said.
NAN
