By Joshua Yousouph
The 100 Percent Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to operators of some bonded terminals in Lagos to halt alleged illegal tolls and charges imposed on freight forwarders and refund about ₦178 million reportedly collected from its members.
In a demand notice dated August 6, 2026, and signed by the National Coordinator of the team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, NAGAFF alleged that freight forwarders were being compelled to pay additional charges on imported containers at some bonded terminals.
The association specifically named Sifax Terminal, Ijora, and Sifax Terminal, Okota, alleging that charges of ₦3,000 were being imposed on 20-foot containers, while ₦6,000 was allegedly charged on 40-foot containers.
NAGAFF claimed that the collections were being made by the affected terminals in conjunction with some individuals purportedly acting on behalf of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).
The association maintained that the alleged charges were outside statutory and regulatory fees payable to government agencies, including the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and terminal operators.
According to NAGAFF, its members had repeatedly requested evidence of the legal authority backing the charges but had not been presented with any gazetted instrument, approved tariff, regulatory directive or other documentation authorising the collections.
The association described the alleged fees as unacceptable, arguing that the absence of transparency and regulatory approval raised questions about their legality.
NAGAFF further alleged that the charges could constitute a violation of applicable laws, including the Lagos State Illegal Collection of Dues in Public Places (Prohibition) Law 2003.
It also argued that the alleged fees could amount to duplication of charges already payable under existing laws and regulations, thereby increasing the financial burden on freight forwarders and undermining trade facilitation.
Consequently, the NAGAFF 100 Percent Compliance Team demanded that the affected terminal managers immediately stop the alleged collections within seven days.
The association also demanded documentary evidence establishing the legal authority under which the charges were being imposed and collected.
In addition, NAGAFF demanded the refund of all sums allegedly collected from its members.
Alternatively, the association asked the terminal operators to submit a written proposal for reconciliation and refund within the seven-day period.
The group warned that failure to meet its demands could lead it to pursue available legal and regulatory remedies, including petitions to relevant government authorities and possible legal action.
NAGAFF also warned that continued collection of the alleged charges could lead it to consider shutting down the affected bonded terminals, stressing, however, that any enforcement action would be pursued within the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
As part of its demand, NAGAFF called for verification of relevant regulatory and judicial instruments concerning the collection of tolls and association dues within port and terminal environments.
The association referred to an alleged Nigeria Ports Authority port order prohibiting associations from collecting tolls within ports and terminal areas.
It also cited an alleged order of the Lagos High Court, reportedly issued by Justice Mash, which NAGAFF claimed restrained associations or individuals from compelling its members to pay such tolls.
The association urged the relevant authorities to obtain and examine the referenced instruments in order to establish the legal position regarding the collection of such charges within bonded terminals and other port-related facilities.
NAGAFF said its demand was issued without prejudice to any other rights or remedies available to it and its members.
The affected terminal operators and ANLCA were not quoted in the statement, and their responses to the allegations were not contained in the notice.
NAGAFF said it expected the matter to be addressed urgently in the interest of sustainable freight-forwarding practice, trade facilitation and protection of freight forwarders from what it described as unauthorised financial burdens.
