The ongoing legal dispute between four accredited freight forwarding associations and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has taken a new turn, as the associations have opted to boycott discussions with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and CRFFN, citing the pending court case.
Recall that the four freight forwarding associations which include the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (AREFFN), and National Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), had jointly instituted a lawsuit against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over his failure to follow due process in the appointment of the CRFFN Registrar.
Speaking on behalf of the associations during a joint press briefing in Lagos, ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, recounted the sequence of events, which led to the controversial appointment and in his words: “The registrar position was advertised in 2023 and a lot of people applied. Applicants were shortlisted and scheduled for an interview in Abuja, which they attended. However, the interview did not hold. To our surprise, the person appointed as Registrar was not even among those who applied” Nwokeoji stated.
Findings by Shipping Position Daily revealed that the court hearing was scheduled for 5th of March, 2025 as the associations seek an interpretation of the CRFFN law to ensure due process was followed in the appointment. However, the case has been adjourned till May 22, 2025.
There are clear indications that due to the ongoing litigation, the four accredited associations have shut their door to visit from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as well as CRFFN. The Ministry and CRFFN have only succeeded in having a working visiting to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) twice since the appointment of the new Registrar.
Speaking on the issue, the National Secretary of Association of Registered Freight Forwarders (AREFFN), Mr. Frank Obiekezie confirmed that the association received letters from the Ministry and CRFFN informing them of their working visits to the association but noted that it was declined.
The AREFFN Scribe emphasized that it was improper to engage in discussions with a party involved in an active court case unless for the purpose of an out-of-court settlement. He further disclosed that while he was not directly involved in the legal proceedings, the case remains in court, and the legal team handling the matter has been quiet about the updates.
“CRFFN and the Marine Ministry scheduled to meet with us last week. However, we informed them that since we have an ongoing court case, it is not normal practice to be sitting at the table with someone you are litigating against, unless for a court settlement,” Obiekezie stated.
On his part, the former National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Increase Uche, confirmed that the case is still pending in court and has been adjourned to May 22, 2025.
The NAGAFF former President while acknowledging the four associations have the legal rights to seek clarity on the CRFFN Law, he further criticized the associations for taking the matter to court instead of seeking alternative means of resolution.
“There is nothing much to say. We are still on the case, waiting for the court’s decision. The hearing took place last Thursday, March 5, 2025, but was adjourned to May 22. The court has the mandate to interpret the Act under contention.
“In situations like this, the best approach is to find a way to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, they did not listen to my advice. I had no idea they were planning to challenge the ministerial decision in court” Chief Uche said.
Meanwhile, when contacted by Shipping Position Daily the National President of ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, assured that the association would formally address the issue next week. “We are still on the matter. A press briefing will be held early next week, and a statement will be issued in due course,” Nwokeoji confirmed.
