The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has filed an appeal setting aside of the earlier judgement delivered last week by the Federal High Court, Abuja over collection of import duty on imported personal effects.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the Service, Mr. Joseph Attah, a Deputy Controller of Customs, he said that the suit is on the grounds of no fair hearing, misapplication of the laws to arrive at the judgement.
Attah also added that the service is seeking for the case to be heard on its merit and opportunity for all parties to adequately address the honorable Court.
The statement reads in part: "In response to the judgment of import duty on goods/personal effects contained in passenger baggage, the Nigeria Customs Service, today, filed for setting aside of the judgment delivered on 13th May, 2020 by the Federal High Court, Abuja on the grounds of. No fair hearing before the judgment was delivered, misapplication of the laws to arrive at the said judgment, the judgment is a nullity among others"
He however urged the general public to await the outcome of the case, even as he assured Nigerians of the it's readiness to comply with the final outcome of the judgement.
"The Service is by this, seeking for the case to be heard on its merit and opportunity for all parties to adequately address the honorable Court. While urging the general public to await the outcome of the case, the Service wishes to assure Nigerians of its readiness to comply with the outcome of the judicial process" he said.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that an Abuja Federal High Court slammed a N5Million fine on the Nigeria Customs Service for unlawfully collecting N156, 955.20 from one Kehinde Ogunwumiju as import duty on personal effects that were brought into the country.
It will also be recalled that Ogunwumiju had approached the Federal High Court, seeking a declaration that in view of the provisions of Section 8 of the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act and the 2nd Schedule to the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act, it was unlawful for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to have collected import duty and other related charges from the him in respect of his personal effect.
A Louis Vuitton Lap Top Bag was reportedly found in his baggage following a search by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on the 24th June, 2019.
Discussion about this post