The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has petitioned the Apapa Port Commissioner of Police, asking him to arrest the factional Chairman of the Apapa chapter of the association, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim.
A copy of the petition signed by Mr. Emeka Enwelu and made available to Shipping Position Daily in Lagos yesterday pronounced Mr. Enwelu as the lawful chairman for Apapa chapter of the association.
On the petition, Enwelu alleged that Tanko has ceased to be the chairman of the Apapa chapter after the associations' Factional President, Mr. Lucky Amiwero sacked him and has since ordered his replacement. He noted that Amiwero had appointed Tanko as Apapa chairman in the first place.
He however lamented that despite Tanko's sack, he has continued to parade himself as the chairman of the Apapa chapter. Enwelu also alleged that his team were attacked on 1st of August 2017 inside a terminal in Apapa by Tanko's followers.
The petition also informed the police commissioner that a former Secretary of the association, Mr. Ben Ndee was recently jailed by the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos over charges of conspiracy and forgery on charge number J/3B/2014 dated 21st of July 2017.
"The judgement delivered is based on criminal conspiracy and forgery of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents certificate and other relevant activities"
"In this ruling, her Honour, Ugbomoiko (Mrs) made it clear that it is important therefore to impose the maximum sentence as a way to discourage impunity and encourage people to be law abiding"
"Kindly note that implicit in the ruling is that the court case has made it clear in the mean time that the Mr. Emeka Enwelu led executives derived their power of presence in the port from a legitimate body. This ruling of the court was not appealed against and this is the position as we write"
"May I still bring to your notice that on the 1st of August 2017, our members were violently attacked at the terminal by these identifiable persons who were uttering words of threat to assassination"
"We therefore appeal to you to use your good offices to ensure that persons who have no legal basis do not unnecessarily interfere with the activities of persons with legitimate presence in the port"
"On this basis we call on you to cause the arrest of these identifiable disorderly persons, investigate them and if found wanting, charge them to court"
Enwelu told Shipping Position Daily that Tanko has been invited officially by the Apapa port police to come and say his side of story. He said that the man whom he pays allegiance to; Ben Ndee has been jailed
He said Tanko was appointed by Amiwero in 2012 and he has seized to be the Chairman since April 2017.
When he was contacted by Shipping Position Daily correspondent, the factional Chairman of the Apapa chapter, Tanko Ibrahim said he remains the authentic Chairman of the Apapa chapter.
He said he was not aware that the Apapa police were looking to arrest him, even as he assured that he is always available.
Speaking, he said "I am available, the police knows my office, I am a very popular person. There is a letter signed by the Chairman BOT of the association, Chief Rafiu Ladipo that I am the Chairman of Council of Managing Directors in Apapa. Lucky Amiwero is not the president of the association whether he likes it or not"
"Ben Ndee was caught by a criminal case of forgery and nobody asked him to commit the offence. We have our own case coming on 27th of next month on issues of BOT versus the Council"
Though he was not forthcoming with more information, he however confirmed that he had a falling out with
Mr. Amiwero in 2016.
When Shipping Position Daily contacted Chief Rafiu Ladipo, he dismissed the petition written against Tanko mere speculation.
Discussion about this post