Few days after an Abuja Federal High Court slammed a N5Million fine on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for unlawfully collecting N156, 955.20 from one Kehinde Ogunwumiju as import duty on personal effects that were brought into the country, the service has announced that the it will soon appeal the judgment.
Shipping Position Daily recalls 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.
The Court in its judgment on the Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1113/2019 between Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN v. Nigeria Customs Service Board & Anor said, “having analysed 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, was of the view that the following goods are exempted from import duty and other related charges.
Reacting to this, the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of Customs, Mr. Joseph Attah, in one social media platforms announced that the service is set to appeal the judgment, adding that the service believes its action on collection of duty on the said personal effect is in tune with the extant law governing passenger concession.
According to him, “NCS is set to appeal the judgment as the service believes; it is not in tune with extant law governing passenger concession. It's a different case if there is the argument that the N50,000 limit is too low, hence should be reviewed upward. Until that is done the service has a duty to enforce extant law/ guideline” he concluded.
Discussion about this post