…EFCC representative specially lauds the film, for selflessly championing inter-agency collaboration

In a genuine demonstration of altruistic partnership with sister agencies, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) brought several agencies and other stakeholders to participate in a film, Beyond the Badge, premièred on Saturday, 7 December 2024, at the Silverbird Cinema in Kaduna. 

The Zonal Coordinator of Zone B, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Adekunle Oloyede, represented by Deputy Comptroller (Medical) Amwe Aku, described the film as both a vision and reflection of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on innovation and teamwork. 

“This production underscores the importance of partnerships between the NCS and sister agencies in achieving shared security goals,” he noted.

Speaking on behalf of Chief Superintendent Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Titus Omajali praised the film’s focus. 

“This movie showcases the united front between Customs and other security agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and combating smuggling,” he said.

Representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna State Police Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) attended the event. 

They applauded the NCS for using creative storytelling to highlight the shared mission of safeguarding the nation.

The film’s director, Dr Agozie Ugwu described the production as ‘a tribute to the collective efforts’.

“This film is not just about Customs; it is a tribute to the collective efforts of all security agencies in ensuring peace and development”, Dr. Ugwu stated.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have praised ‘Beyond the Badge,’ with many calling it a model for fostering transparency and public understanding of security agencies’ crucial roles. 

An EFCC representative while commending the film, specially lauded the NCS initiative, especially for selflessly championing inter-agency collaboration, through this initiative.

In the meantime, the NCS high command has expressed gratitude to all attendees while reaffirming its commitment to teamwork in the fulfilment of its mandate on national service.

…Says it delivers promising results at PTML despite early challenges

The Customs Area Controller Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command, Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, has identified the potential of the newly implemented B’Odogwu Customs trading platform as an efficiency and revenue generation tool and called on stakeholders to embrace it.

He stated this, at a press briefing on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, stressing that despite the teething problems encountered during its rollout, B’Odogwu has emerged as a crucial step-forward tool. 

“B’Odogwu is a Nigerian initiative that requires the support of Nigerians. We are transitioning from reliance on a foreign system, and I urge everyone to stand behind this innovation. There will be no return to NICSIS II; its use has officially ended at PTML, as mandated by the service,” Comptroller Daniyan stated, announcing that the command had achieved a milestone in revenue collection, with a record-breaking N44.9 billion collected in November 2024 — the highest monthly revenue ever generated by the command.

Responding to stakeholders’ concerns, Comptroller Daniyan dismissed claims that the new system had caused delays. He assured the public that all vessels berthed at PTML had been processed promptly. He further noted that the command had engaged with stakeholders earlier in the week to address issues raised by agents, urging them to approach the implementation team for support if needed.

“Many of the agents who said they are unable to capture data have not yet registered on the platform. I strongly encourage them to complete their registration to resolve any challenges. We are aware that some agents are still adjusting to the additional requirements of this system, which were not part of NICSIS II. However, as issues arise, we are committed to resolving them,” he said.

Comptroller Daniya revealed that over five banks are already integrated into the system, with 17 additional banks on the Interswitch payment platform expected to join by Thursday. He emphasised that these improvements would simplify transactions and enhance efficiency.

Stressing the importance of compliance in trade facilitation, Daniyan explained that properly declared Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) cargoes could be processed within two hours, provided declarants adhere to the required procedures. He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to the service’s core mandates, stating that national security and revenue collection would not be compromised for the sake of trade facilitation.

…AYM Shafa, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum in their response averred that the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster 

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has sought to amend its suit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and others.

The plea to amend the suit followed an application by the NNPCL before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, urging the court to strike out the case for being incompetent.

The Dangote Refinery had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as 1st and 2nd defendants; and also listed as 3rd to 7th defendants respectively in the originating summons, marked:  FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 and dated Sept. 6, were AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

The oil company, through its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, prayed the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to the NNPCL and the five other companies to import refined petroleum products.

The company (plaintiff) also prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA violated Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.

It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

It equally sought N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products.

But the NNPCL (2nd defendant), in its preliminary objection dated and filed Nov. 15, urged the court to strike out the suit.

It argued that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) sued by the refinery was a non-existent entity.

The company, through its lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), being its registered name with the Corporate Affairs Commission, is not the same as the 2nd defendant sued by the plaintiff.

It further argued that the court lacked jurisdiction over the 2nd defendant sued Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC).

“A simple search on the CAC website shows that there is no entity called ‘Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC),’” the 2nd defendant said.

The NNPCL, therefore, said that the 2nd defendant, as sued by the refinery in the instant suit, is not a competent party or a juristic person, urging the court to strike out its name or the suit in its entirety.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery, in a motion on notice dated Nov. 25 but filed Nov. 28 by Onoja, sought an order, granting leave to the company to amend its originating summons in accordance with the rules of the court.

The refinery, in a copy of the motion sighted on Monday, said this would allow it to correct the name of the 2nd defendant to read; “Nigerian National Petroleum  Company Limited,” instead of “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC)” earlier listed.

In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Vincent Sani, a litigation clerk in the law firm of Onoja, he said he was informed by one of their lawyers, Innocent Adoo, on Nov. 25 that after the filing of the originating processes in the suit, he observed that the 2nd defendant’s name was erroneously spelt, hence, the need for the amendment.

Sani averred that the said amendment had become necessary in order for the record of the court to bear the proper description of the 2nd defendant (NNPCL) as a party in the suit.

The litigation clerk said that the NNPCL was yet to be served with the said originating processes sought to be amended.

According to him, the proposed amended originating summons, affidavit in support and written address, are hereby exhibited and marked as “Exhibit A.”

Sani, who averred that the defendants/respondents would not be prejudiced if the application was granted, said that justice would be better served if their plea is considered.

However, observes that the proposed originating summons, filed on Nov. 28 and dated Sept. 6, seeks the same relief as the earlier filed by the refinery.

It would be recalled that three oil marketers had also prayed the court to dismiss suit.

The oil marketers, in a joint counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 filed on Nov. 5 in response to Dangote Refinery’s originating summons, told Justice Ekwo that granting that application would spell doom for the country’s oil sector.

According to them, the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country.

The three marketers; AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, said the plaintiff did not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.

Besides, they argued that there was nothing placed before the court to prove the contrary.

Justice Ekwo had fixed Jan. 20, 2025, for report of settlement or service.