News
Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared that Licensed Customs Agents, LCA shall not be subjected to regulatory control of the Minister of Transporation and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding, CRFFN or required to pay fees or obtain clearance as a condition for access to ports or renewal of their licenses under Customs Act.
The suit No. FHC/CS/765/2018 which commenced at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, was instituted by the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA against the Minister of Transportation, the Nigeria Authority, NPA and the CRFFN as defendants.
The court ruled that the Minister of Transportation lacks legal authority to issue directives regulating the business or operation of LCA, declaring null and void the directive published in the Vanguard Newspapers on August 1, 2017.
READ ALSO:Lawyers Drag Tinubu To Court, Seek Emergency Rule In Zamfara
The landmark judgment delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor, resolved that: “the regulation of LCA is governed squarely by the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA which provides a comprehensive legal frame for the licensing and oversight of Customs operation in Nigeria. Only the Minister of Finance, acting through the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS is statutorily authorized to regulate the business and operation of LCA.
“The Minister of Transportation is not recognized under the Customs Act as having any supervisory or regulatory role in this regard.
“Under section 4 the CRFFN is empowered to determine qualification, register freight forwarders and set standard for practice. LCA is a distinct profession from freight forwarders.
READ ALSO:Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N335m, Hospital, Five Filling Stations To FG
“The business and regulation of LCA fall exclusively under the Customs Act, which vests regulatory control in the Minister of Finance and NCS. The CRFFN established under the CRFFN Act 2007, is a separate regulatory body whose jurisdiction applies only to freight forwarders not LCA”
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, President, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, described the victory as long overdue, even as he maintained that the CRFFN and the Ministry of Transportation have no statutory authority to regulate the business or operations of LCAs.
“We are not freight forwarders. We are licensed under a different law, and this judgment affirms that distinction. “Meanwhile, Registrar of CRFFN Kingsley Igwe, said that the court ruling will not prevent the Council from collecting Practitioners operating Fee, POF from customs agents.
Speaking at a press briefing in response to the judgment, Igwe said that it remains the legally empowered authority to regulate freight forwarding in Nigeria under Act No. 16 of 2007.
(Vanguard)
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
-
Politics4 days ago2027: Tinubu’s Re-election May Put An End To Nigeria — Baba Ahmed Warns
-
Business4 days agoJUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike
-
Entertainment5 days agoActress Eniola Badmus Gets New Federal Appointment
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship
-
News4 days ago2027: Pastor Adeboye Speaks On Nigeria’s Next President
-
Politics4 days agoNDC Speaks On Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Joining Party
-
News3 days agoOPINION: Why South Africans Murder Nigerians In Cold Blood
-
Politics2 days agoJUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up
-
Entertainment4 days agoAgain, Tragedy Hits Nollywood As Another Actress Dies
-
Business2 days agoWhy We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO
