Maritime

Freight Forwarders Accuse Firm Of N60m Fraud

Published

13 years ago

July 12, 2013

APM Terminals, operator of the Nigeria’s busiest container port in Lagos has been alleged to have defrauded freight forwarders and importers of a whooping N60 billion through delays in positioning containers for examination and arbitrary charges for demurrage.
The five point allegations which were contained in a letter to the Controller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko also include what the freight forwarders describe as “Arrogant refusal to discontinue their unacceptable schemes and exploitative charges’’
The freight forwarders (NAGAFF), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) and Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria(AREFFN) also sought the intervention of anti graft agencies to arrest the situation, which they viewed as exploitative against their members.
In separate letters to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and related offenses Commission (ICPC), they called for urgent attention of the agencies to arrest a situation, they describe as being “very germane and apparently criminal before it gets out of hands.
APMT management was alleged to have contrived a scheme whereby containers due for examination are delayed for upward of two weeks without positioning and still charge agents and importers for the delays
They also alleged that the terminal operator have devised means of trapping containers for periods longer than necessary in the ports. “They crafted a curious policy wherein booking of containers for physical examination and scanning closes by 10am in their office and then an average of at least 5 days is wasted after booking for examination, documentation for 3 days and loading a further 2 days thereby trapping consignments for periods longer than necessary in the ports.”
The company was also alleged of deliberately delaying import deliveries in order to accumulate what they described as dubious storage charges for themselves with arbitrary increase of debit notes.
The group of freight forwarders associations averred that it contracted independent auditors to ascertain the level of losses cumulatively incurred by their members to APMT and discovered that N60Billion has been lost for alleged delays and not rendered.
“ In order to properly ascertain the scale of APMT’s management fraudulent scheme foisted on our members, we had to engage the services of independent auditors who have come up with a shocking statistics indicating that our members and indeed the entire Nigerian import community(who we work for) have lost to APMT a whooping sum of N800Million for every 40,000 units of containers delivered through their terminal for the said stagnation or services not rendered but money received by them as a result of dubious scheme founded on dishonesty.
In all since APMT put this scheme in place, our members reckon that they have lost a cumulative sum of over N60Billion.”
The freight forwarders are demanding a full refund of the N60B which according was dishonestly obtained from their members and importers whom they said APMT have subjected to economic slaves in their fatherland.
The freight forwarders also demanded same day booking and same day positioning of containers as it is the practice with other responsible and responsive terminals and a reversal of all charges and debit notes said to have been increased by APMT for the company’s enrichment to the detriment of the Nigerian economy.
They also alleged that several letters sent to APMT on the issue through their Legal Adviser were ignored and that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, whose responsibility it is to protect shippers’ interest had through a letter indicated interest in the matter.
The letter also expressed that Nigeria Customs Service, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited and other stakeholders had at a recent meeting jointly agree that APMT is responsible for delays being experienced in the container port.
In a terse response, Bolaji Akinola, Media Adviser to APMT in an electronic mail to journalists said “This is pure propaganda; fabricated lies, falsehood, blackmail and unsubstantiated claims. It is their stock in trade and we know them already. We will respond comprehensively and appropriately’’.

Maritime

CILT Nigeria Seeks Anti- graft Agency Collaboration

Published

2 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation, CILT has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC towards enhancing interconnectivity through a multimodal logistics and transportation system that involves the rail, road, sea, motorways and pipelines.

The request was made last week when the President and chairman of Council, CILT, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, led other executives on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

“We can collaborate with the EFCC in terms of advocacy. When I’m talking of advocacy, I’m talking about the issue of the transport and logistics sector.

“We can have anti-corruption awareness within the transport sector. Another key issue has to do with professional ethics and training. We believe that we can collaborate with EFCC in the area of public transport as regards to integrity programmes for industry professionals and also research policies addressing logistics vulnerabilities in financial crimes,” he said.

He also identified logistics and supply chain expertise as another area of collaboration with the EFCC.

According to him, “There’s no way you can conduct an investigation without bumping into the issue of logistics and transportation. We believe that we can look into this and offer professional memberships to your members of staff at different levels.

“We believe if they are members of the institute, it will lessen the cost of your investigation.

“In our Academy, We can also offer to deliver lectures in this area to enhance professionalism. So, before your Cadets pass out from the Academy, members of the Institute can make lectures to be delivered in the areas of logistics and transport so as to enhance their professionalism.

“,At the end of the day, they will have professional certificates and also have enhanced capacity to investigate the issues of logistics and transportation.”

He blamed the delay in the clearance of goods in Nigerian seaports to logistical inadequacies.

“There’s so much serious problem in logistics in Nigeria, so many duplications. And it’s not giving Nigeria a good image. You are talking about bringing investors.

0″I don’t want to bring investors if it would take weeks to clear their goods,” he said.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Nigeria Customs, Malaysia Strengthen Bilateral Agreement ….As Trade Hits 1.82tr in 5 Years

Published

2 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advanced its strategic engagement with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD).

This followed an official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the RMCD Headquarters on the sidelines of his participation at DSA Malaysia 2026.

The engagement comes against the backdrop of expanding bilateral trade, with Nigeria’s imports from Malaysia increasing from NGN 159.9 billion in 2020 to NGN 716.0 billion in 2024, and cumulative trade value reaching approximately NGN 1.82 trillion over a five-year period.

The Nigeria customs boss was received by the Director-General of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Dato’ Haji Amran bin Haji Ahmad, whose appointment in March 2026 reflects a strong reform-oriented leadership in enforcement and regulatory administration.

Both leaders held high-level discussions focused on institutional collaboration, customs modernisation, and coordinated border management frameworks to strengthen efficiency and regulatory integrity.

The Comptroller-General emphasised that the scale and trajectory of Nigeria–Malaysia trade relations necessitate a more structured and formalised customs-to-customs partnership.

He noted that Malaysia remains a significant trading partner to Nigeria, with key imports including crude palm oil, refined palm olein, jet fuel, food preparations, machinery, and other industrial inputs.

He further underscored the critical role of customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding national economic and security interests.

Both administrations acknowledged the absence of a formal legal framework guiding bilateral customs cooperation despite longstanding trade relations.

To address this gap, both parties agreed to initiate processes toward establishing a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the framework of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), to be pursued through appropriate diplomatic channels.

This initiative is expected to provide a structured basis for cooperation, enhance mutual trust, and support reciprocal trade facilitation measures.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to present its evolving border management architecture, including the establishment of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) as an integrated frontline border control body.

In his aresponse, the Comptroller-General highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and other trade facilitation frameworks designed to ensure predictable clearance processes, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen compliance.

Both sides emphasised the importance of deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, enforcement coordination, and technology-driven border management, particularly in addressing illicit trade and transnational trafficking.

To this end, the NCS reiterates its commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships as part of its broader modernisation agenda.

The Service noted the outcome from this engagement will enhance operational capacity, improve trade facilitation, and reinforce border security, while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth objectives.

As part of ongoing efforts to deepen institutional collaboration, the Comptroller-General also used the opportunity to visit the Nigerian Diplomatic Mission and Defence Office in Malaysia, commending their roles in advancing Nigeria’s interests and supporting nationals abroad.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Maritime

Customs Deploys Seven Patrol Vessels, Boost Waterway Anti-smuggling

Published

2 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has deployed seven operational patrol vessels to Western Marine Command to combat smuggling and other maritime crimes

The vessels, comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats, were officially handed over to the Command recently, increasing its fleet to significantly enhance patrol coverage and rapid response capacity within its area of responsibility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Comptroller of Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, said the deployment reflects the Service’s strategic commitment to strengthening enforcement across critical maritime corridors.

“These assets are a clear demonstration of our resolve to secure Nigeria’s waterways against economic sabotage and transnational crimes.

“We are not only expanding our operational capacity but also ensuring that our officers are better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively,” he said.

Ntadi described the expanded fleet as a major boost to ongoing anti-smuggling operations, noting that it addresses previous logistical challenges and strengthens deterrence along key waterways.

“The fight against smuggling is dynamic, and we must remain proactive.

“This deployment, alongside continuous training and inter-agency collaboration, will significantly improve our enforcement outcomes and protect national revenue,” he added.

To support the effective deployment of the vessels, officers of the Command recently underwent an intensive training programme conducted by SEWA Africa Ltd, the contractor responsible for the boats.

The training focused on handling techniques, safety procedures, and operational efficiency.

Representative of SEWA Africa Ltd, Steven Okitiape, explained the training was designed to enhance both competence and safety among officers.

“This training serves as both a refresher and a capacity-building initiative, ensuring that officers can maximise the performance of these vessels while maintaining the highest safety standards,” he said.

By: CHINEDU WOSU