Connect with us

News

Customs Releases Bullion Van, N24. 489 Million Seized Two Years Ago

Published

on

The Ogun II Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released a bullion van seized on April 22, 2022, for being used to conceal 12 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each into the country.

Handing over the bullion van, with registration number FKJ 993 BZ and a sum of N24,489,500.00, seized with the 12 bags of foreign parboiled rice, the Ogun II Area Controller, Bisi Alade, disclosed that the vehicle belongs to Warehouse Ltd, while the money belongs to Access Bank PLC Abeokuta Branch.

Advertisement

Alade disclosed that both the vehicle and the money were detained by officers and men of the Joint Border Patrol Team for being used to conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each into the country.

He said, “On the instruction of the Comptroller General Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, we gather here today, to release the bullion van with registration number FKJ 993 BZ in our custody.

READ ALSO: FG Disburses N105.5bn For 260 Roads Repairs Nationwide

Advertisement

“The vehicle belongs to Warehouse Ltd while the money belongs to Access Bank PLC, Abeokuta Branch and both were detained by the Officers and Men of the Joint Border Patrol Team for being used to conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each.

“On 22 April 2022, officers and men of Joint Border Patrol Team at the Olorunda axis, in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State, intercepted the used bullion van with Reg. No. FKY 993 BZ found to have concealed some bags of foreign parboiled rice and N24,489,500.00, along the Sokoto-ljoun/Joga road, Abeokuta axis of Ogun State.

“The foreign parboiled rice which were 12 bags of 50kg each were carefully concealed in the said vehicle.

Advertisement

“Consequently, the said vehicle and the items were conveyed to the Customs House, Abeokuta for safekeeping. After conducting examination on the vehicle, the said amount of money was discovered and deposited at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abeokuta branch for safekeeping.

“The vehicle was detained while the rice was converted to seizure in line with section 168 of Nigeria Customs Service Act,2023.

READ ALSO: Celebrities Hail Funke Akindele As ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ Hits N1bn Sales

Advertisement

“In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail and subsequently charged to Court for aiding smuggling.

“In a bid to retrieve the detained bullion van and the money, the Bankers Warehouse Ltd and Access Bank wrote an appeal letter to the Controller General of Customs, for release on compassionate ground. Based on the outcome of the investigation and recommendations of the Investigation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, the CGC granted approval for the release of the detained van and the money in line with the provision of section 248 (1) and (2) of NCS Act,2023.”

Speaking on revenue generated by the command, Alade disclosed that a total of N21. 657 billion was generated as revenue for the year 2023.

Advertisement

He said, “the command generated a total sum of over N2. 042 billion as revenue only for the month of November 2023, while a total revenue generated for the year 2023 stood at over N21. 657 billion”

“The service will not relent its efforts in discharging its statutory mandate as empowered by the law. We shall continue to encourage trade, production and expansion of industrial activities in Ogun State, as well as continue to deploy intelligence for effective monitoring and robust stakeholders’ engagement in our operations.”

 

Advertisement

News

UNICEF Urges Women To Breastfeed Babies Within One Hour Of Birth, Warns Against Breastmilk Substitutes Usage

Published

on

The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on pregnant women in Borno State to initiate their newborns into breastmilk consumption within one hour of birth

Speaking during the flag-off event of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, stated that only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed

Advertisement

According to him, this year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System”, highlights the urgent need to prioritise actions and systems leading to equitable access to breastfeeding, especially for vulnerable women in rural and conflict-affected areas.

READ ALSO:How UNICEF’s Initiative Changes Narrative Of Access To Healthcare Services In Bauchi

He said, “Only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed.

Advertisement

“Every child born in Borno State deserves to be initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, exclusively, breastfed for the next six months of life and continue breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond”

Francis also warned against the use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water, while noting that it poses a serious health risk to infants

The use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water in our communities can pose serious risks to the health of infants. It is therefore critical that the state enacts, enforces, and monitors the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect children and promote breastfeeding,” he advised.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Polio: UNICEF Engages Traditional Rulers To Ensure Vaccine Compliance

He emphasised that breast milk provides all essential nutrients infants need in the first six months and offers maximum protection against illness and supports health growth and development

The UNICEF boss further called on the Borno state government and stakeholders to strengthen maternal protection polices, increase funding support, revitalise baby-friendly initiatives and prioritise community-level nutrition interventions.

Advertisement

“Together, through strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustained commitment, we can transform breastfeeding practices across Borno state. UNICEF remains steadfast in its support to the government and partners in this vital vision”, he concluded.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

Published

on

The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, to immediately withdraw what it described as an unconstitutional order shutting down Badeggi FM in the state.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN), in a statement on Saturday, emphasised that only the National Broadcasting Commission had the legal authority to regulate or shut down broadcasting operations in the country as anything contrary will amount to press gagging.

Advertisement

The Association urged the governor to rescind his directive ordering the immediate closure of the privately owned Badeggi 90.1 FM.

It stressed that the action, reportedly carried out through instructions to the State Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security, allegedly involved profiling the station’s owner and marking the premises for demolition.

READ ALSO:Passengers’ Traffic: Anxiety As local Airlines Raise Alarm Over Consistent Decline

Advertisement

The statement read, “This constitutes executive rascality of the highest order. It is a blatant abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law. The Governor lacks the constitutional or legal authority to revoke broadcast licences or shut down any media establishment. In Nigeria, only the National Broadcasting Commission has the statutory mandate to regulate broadcasting, including the suspension or revocation of licences, subject to due process.

“It is imperative to state that the Commissioner of Police or any security agency must not act on unlawful executive directives. Security agencies are bound by law to act within constitutional limits and not as instruments for political intimidation or media suppression.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to own, operate, and access media. No person, regardless of office, has the right to arbitrarily restrict or shut down a media house without due process of law. This unlawful closure, without regulatory sanction or judicial backing, is a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic governance.”

Advertisement

The NBA further stated that Governor Bago’s directive is entirely unlawful and of no legal effect.

READ ALSO:What May Change As Lagos Tenancy Bill Passes Second Reading

Osigwe maintained that the Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities must refuse to implement illegal orders that infringe on constitutional rights, reiterating that media regulation must follow due process through established statutory mechanisms, not arbitrary executive action.

Advertisement

The Association also noted that the actions taken against Badeggi FM constitute a direct affront to press freedom and violate Nigeria’s democratic norms.

We call on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw this directive and refrain from further unconstitutional acts. The NBA also urges all levels of government to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional boundaries, and protect the freedom of the press. A free and independent media is not a privilege – it is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of any democratic society,” the statement read.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

NGE Reacts As Govt Closes Radio Station In Niger

Published

on

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the recent closure of Badeggi Radio by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, describing the action as a direct assault on press freedom and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, on Saturday, the Guild said the governor acted outside his constitutional powers and bypassed due process in ordering the shutdown of the station.

Advertisement

This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” the Guild said.

Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the NGE emphasised that press freedom and freedom of expression are guaranteed rights that must be protected.

READ ALSO:Activists Condemn Nigeria’s Natural Resources Exploitation, Finger Govt

Advertisement

The Guild noted that only the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission has the legal authority to sanction broadcast stations, and only after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the broadcast code.

The closure of Badeggi Radio, a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy.

“Governor Bago acted outside his powers to order the closure of a radio station. The power to sanction television and radio stations only lies with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the Code.

Advertisement

“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out. This should go beyond observing the anomaly.

READ ALSO:Gospel Singer, Eight Others Jailed For Internet Fraud In Kwara

The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station while an investigation is carried out,” the statement read.

Advertisement

The editors likened the governor’s action to the arbitrary clampdowns experienced during military rule, warning that such decisions erode the democratic progress made since 1999.

Arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule, which ended 26 years ago,” the Guild stated.

While acknowledging that Bago had alleged that the station incited violence, the Guild insisted that such a serious accusation must first be investigated and proven before any punitive measure is taken.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Senator Withdraws From Legislative Duties Over Health Challenge

Governor Bago’s allegation of incitement of violence by the radio station is a serious issue, which has to be investigated and proven before any action can be taken. We urge the media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals,” the statement read.

The editors urged media professionals to operate responsibly and adhere strictly to the code of ethics of journalism, but stressed that due process must always be followed by authorities.

Advertisement

The Guild reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy and demands that governments at all levels respect and uphold this fundamental right,” the statement concluded.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending