The embattled Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Prince Bamgbala Adewusi, has contested his suspension by the National Executive Committee (NECOM) led by Emenike Nwokeoji. Despite the NECOM’s actions, Adewusi insists he remains the legitimate chairman of the chapter.
In an interview with Shipping Position Daily on Tuesday, Adewusi accused the ANLCA NECOM of targeting his administration in retaliation for his refusal to join the Western Zone’s opposition against former ANLCA President Tony Iju Nwabunike and his Vice; Kayode Farinto during his tumultuous five-year tenure.
Adewusi, alongside his Vice Chairman, Mr. Ben Davies, condemned the NECOM’s attempt to oust a democratically-elected executive, while their tenure is still active.
A letter dated June 7, 2024, signed by ANLCA National Secretary; Olumide Fakanlu, announced the suspension of Adewusi and his lieutenants; Mr. Davies Ben Chukwunenye and Mr. Lekwauwa Ifeanyi Valentine, citing their failure to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to address allegations of financial misconduct against them
Adewusi, however, refuted the accusations, claiming his administration was unfairly targeted. He revealed plans to sue the NECOM for defamation, asserting that his chapter owes no dues and has even financially supported the NECOM.
“There is an on-going appeal, with an adjournment scheduled at Lagos High Court on Thursday. NECOM is acting against court procedures,” Adewusi stated.
Supporting Adewusi, Vice Chairman; Ben Davies criticised the NECOM for fabricating a crisis at the airport chapter, highlighting the chapter’s unity and lack of internal disputes.
Despite the suspension, Adewusi said he remains resolute in his position, promising to challenge the NECOM’s actions legally and maintain his chapter’s stability.
“I do not know what warranted the suspension, because we didn’t do anything wrong, the NECOM gave us a query and we answered it, and in the body of the query, I made them to understand that we do not owe ANLCA any dues, it is only the airport chapter that has been paying its dues in the Western zone, and we have been doing everything possible to support the NEC”.
“When the letter came, they said we are owing N14million, but we made it known to them that we are not owing them a dime, the NECOM is the one owing us, we erected perimeter fencing at our secretariat here and the former NECOM is owing us, but we decided not to write the new NECOM because they just came in.
Explaining further, he said: “Later, we got a letter that we have been suspended for misappropriation of N25million, can we misappropriate our own money? We didn’t give you any budget that would warrant you issuing us money, we have not been investigated by anybody.
“When they wrote us for a meeting of the disciplinary committee, our lawyer wrote back that we are already in court and there is an order that we should not tamper with anything that has to do with this office”.
