The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has exonerated itself from the alleged illegal detention of containers No CARU 216026/4 and MEDU 308385/0 laden with cartons of wine after it was reportedly duly released with SGD No TCI/97307.
The Maritime Traders Association had alleged, in a petition, that the owners of the controversial containers’ refusal to part with N80, 000 graft demanded by an officer in charge of the gate led to issuance of Demand Notice of N1, 037,695.00 by the Gate Control “five days after without specifying the basis.”
Reacting to the allegation, the public relations officer of the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Chris Osunkwo said “there is no iota of truth in the petitioner’s claims”.
He said it was discovered that the containers in question were undervalued and Demand Notice had to be issued after ascertaining the worth of the goods in the containers.
According to Chris Osunkwo, such goods cannot be released except with express directive from the Customs headquarters in Abuja.
The Maritime Traders Association had explained, in petitions signed by its president, Mr. Roy C. Philipson, that on Monday 17th May, its leaders had a meeting with the then- Customs Area Controller, Mr A.S. Sahab who said that his command had concluded investigation and would be forwarding its report to Abuja the next day.
Meanwhile the command’s spokesman has advised the aggrieved agent to wait for the outcome of the report on the matter from the Customs headquarters in Abuja.
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