News

Controversy Emerges Over Cargo Scanners

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

Industry stakeholders have appealed to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Senator Adegboyega Oyetola, not to go ahead with the purported plans aimed at seeking presidential approval that will allow seaport terminal operators take over the function of the scanning of cargo, noting that the idea is not only retrogressive but could cause major reverses in gains already made in the ports industry.

The stakeholders who were reacting to feelers at the just concluded National Dialogue on the theme “Sailing to Success: Harnessing Nigeria’s Maritime Potential”, during which Oyetola reportedly canvassed the decentralization of the cargo scanning system, advised the minister to focus on consultation in the immediate time and leave out pronouncements on critical industry matters.

The minister’s position which supposedly flowed from complaints by industry stakeholders about perceived lack of adequate scanning machines and or identified deficiencies in their management, formed the nucleus of takeaway from the 29th National Economic Summit Group (NESG). Speaking on the efficient administration of the scanning machines during the NESG programme, the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji, lamented that cargo clearance in Nigerian ports was still a far cry from global standards.

The ANLCA leader noted perceived inconsistency in the rules and guidelines relating to cargo clearing process, like the cancellation of rerouting, generally adjudged by clearing agents and freight forwarders as time saving; as against the prevailing practice where a cargo must arrive before clearance processes commence.

He was also believed to have lamented lack of scanners as well as delays in cargo clearance, all of which he reportedly said engenders corruption and escalates costs of doing business at the port.

However rather than consult more widely on the issue, Oyetola pledged to seek the intervention of the presidency to grant approval for terminal owners to own and operate cargo scanners, despite that the Nigeria Customs Service, last year, spent hundreds of millions of naira to build and install a number of functional scanners across formations and commands of the service.

Stakeholders posit that if the minister’s proposal is allowed to fly, it would cause major reverses in the system.

Foremost customs broker, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said the best solution should be a careful study of the administration of all the regimes of past cargo scanners, which should serve as guide to making the right decision.
Shittu notes that the Nigeria Customs Service exercise prerogative on the due assessment of scanning results, a position he opined cannot be negotiated or wished away.

“I agree with you, it will bring conflicts and the Customs position in the matter of scanned goods is superior to that of the terminal operators”.

But slightly aligning with the ministerial idea, former National President of NAGAFF, Eugene Nweke, said in global practice, cargo scanners can be operated from anywhere in the world, noting that Nigeria Customs should restrict itself to the interpretation and analysis of scanned images, by having a pool of well trained and professionally knowledgeable men in scanning analysis.

He stated: “You could recall that I already outlined some of these issues in the previous write ups l sent as an advice to then CG Hameed Ali. And my position was that, depending on what the government wants the Customs to achieve with scanner installation, is the objective for security or trade facilitation? If not, professionally scanner can be installed anywhere in the world and scan images transmitted to the Customs at whatever destination, this is the beauty of ICT.

“In this regards, what our Customs should do is to master the act of analysis of scanned images submitted to them to determine the status of goods, where trade facilitation is the objective of scanner installations, if it is security, then, it goes beyond that.

“In the past it was the Scanner Service Providers that operated these scanners, such as Globalscan System, COTECNA, etc. Remember that former CGC, late Abdullahi Diko Inde, had issues with scanner service providers, which led to the management decisions to audit all the installed scanner and these pre-shipment inspection agents worked together and there was no problem until it was discovered that the scanners were all refurbished, and by that time he reported back to the Hon. Minister Okonjo Iweala and the President, the rest is now history.

“So what the minister of marine and blue economy seems to be driving at is to take us back to that era of Scanner Service.”

News

Indecent Dressing Punishable Offence, Attracts N50,000 Fine In Delta — Police Warns

Published

47 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has warned that indecent dressing in Delta is now a punishable offence under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, attracting a fine of N50,000 or community service.

The warning on indecent dressing in Delta was issued in a post shared via the Command’s official X handle on Saturday.

The police noted that many residents may be unaware of certain state laws, adding that it would begin a weekly sensitisation campaign to educate the public.

“There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against.

“So, every weekend, we will be dropping some of these laws so that you will be aware,” the post read.

Addressing indecent dressing in Delta specifically, the Command stated: “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am – Delta state government nor dey smile for that kain dressing. VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”

Under Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law, anyone who intentionally exposes their private parts, wholly or partially, in public is guilty of indecent exposure.

Upon conviction, offenders may be ordered to perform community service, pay a fine not exceeding N50,000, or both.

The law, originally passed at the federal level in 2015 and domesticated in Delta State in 2020, seeks to address all forms of violence against persons in both public and private life, and to protect vulnerable groups within the state.

It states: “(1) A person who intentionally exposes any of his or her private parts wholly or partly in public commits the offence of indecent exposure.

(2) “A person who commits the offence provided for in subsection (1) of this Section is liable on conviction to perform such community service as the court may order or to pay a fine not exceeding N50,000.00 or both.”

News

Security Votes: SERAP Gives Governors Seven Days To Explain Spending

Published

1 hour ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors across Nigeria, demanding immediate disclosure of how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023.

In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged state governors to not only make public the details of their security vote expenditures but also to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate and monitor the funds disbursed under this opaque category of spending.

“The escalating insecurity in several states is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger, and leading to other grave human rights violations,” SERAP stated.

The organisation referenced the recent massacre in Benue State and broader national insecurity as a compelling justification for their demand.

According to SERAP, despite billions of naira being allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing to uphold their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasised that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” warning that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds has enabled widespread misuse and undermined public trust.

“In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over N375 billion in security votes.

“Yet, insecurity continues to spiral out of control in many states, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between allocated resources and actual results.”

Security votes—typically large, discretionary funds allocated to state executives ostensibly for improving security—are widely criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability. While governments often cite national security as a reason for nondisclosure, SERAP argues there is no legal basis for hiding public spending under this guise.

“While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrecy from the public, there is no constitutional or legal justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” the letter read.

Referring to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government, including states.

“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes,” the group added.

SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days of the receipt or publication of the FoI request would prompt legal action to compel compliance.

“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold it,” SERAP stated. “The people have a right to know how their money is being used, especially in matters as crucial as security.”

The group further argued that the misuse and secrecy around security votes have hindered meaningful oversight and contributed to a culture of impunity, where governors view these funds as personal entitlements rather than tools to enhance public safety.

“Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have limited the ability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement continued.

“This is a grave violation of public trust and a breach of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations,” SERAP noted.

Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are mandated to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”

It added that proper use of security votes should be directed at improving the security situation or returned to the public treasury.

SERAP’s position came as a result of the recent assessments from international organisations.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria has been listed among 39 countries classified as being in “fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).”

“The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.

“Millions are experiencing acute food insecurity, while severe gaps in education and healthcare undermine national development,” SERAP said.

The organisation concluded by urging governors to lead a transparent and honest national dialogue about the security crisis and the real impact of security vote expenditures.

“Disclosing these details will not only build public trust but also catalyse more effective, collective responses to the worsening security challenges across the country,” SERAP stated.

News

10 Things To Know About Late Kano-born Business Mogul, Aminu Dantata

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Renowned Kano-born business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, has passed on at the age of 94 after a prolonged illness associated with old age.

The news of billionaire businessman’s demise was disclosed via a social media post on Saturday by the Deputy National Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Uba Tanko Mijinyawa.

Here are 10 things to know about the late icon:

1.Alhaji Aminu Dantata was born on May 19, 1931, into the prominent Dantata family of Kano. He was the son of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s most successful merchants and a pioneer in long-distance trade and commerce in Nigeria.

2.He began his business career as a produce buyer at Alhassan Dantata and Sons Limited. Over time, he built an empire with vast investments in finance, real estate, agriculture, construction, and the petroleum sector.

3.In 1962, Dantata became a member of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank and was later appointed as one of its directors, playing a key role in Nigeria’s early industrial development.

4.He was elected into the Northern House of Assembly in 1966. In 1967, he was appointed as a Commissioner in the Kano State Government, a position he held until 1973. He also contributed to Nigeria’s democratic evolution as a member of the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee.

5.Dantata led several trade missions abroad, representing Nigeria’s private sector on the global stage. He was known for promoting international partnerships and strengthening commercial ties between Nigeria and other countries.

6.He was honoured with several academic accolades, receiving honorary doctorate degrees from top Nigerian universities such as Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Abia State University, Imo State University, and Usman Danfodio University.

7.A recipient of two prestigious national honours — Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the National Republic of Niger (CONN) — Dantata was widely recognized for his contributions to national development.

8.He was deeply involved in philanthropy, investing heavily in education, youth empowerment, and skills acquisition. His efforts supported thousands of Nigerians in accessing better opportunities and improving their livelihoods.

9.He was a patron and life member of various business and industry organizations, including the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Kano Chamber of Commerce, the National Council of Farmers, and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industries.

10.Alhaji Aminu Dantata married Hajiya Rabi Aminu Dantata, who conducted all his business dealings with women. He later married Maimuna, and between both wives, he had many children. He was also Chancellor of Al-Qalam University and served as a Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, continuing his legacy in both education and Islamic finance.