…Eastern Zone ANLCA Condemns Sack of Tony Iju-led Executive***

The ‘roforofo fight’ wrecking the once peaceful Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA during Prince Olayiwola Shittu’s regime as National President has worsened, as the Nigeria Police has again sealed off the ANLCA national secretariat, at Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State, over the sack of Iju Tony Nwabunike led executive.

Already, the ANLCA’s Eastern Zone has unequivocally condemned, what it described as a wanton act of thuggery at the National Secretariat on Wednesday 24 August 2022, when the Iju Tony Nwabunike-led executive was sacked and Association Secretariat has effectively taken over.

Also read: ANLCA: BoT bares fang, Sacks Iju, Farinto; Inaugurates Pius Ujubonu as Acting President

Maritime First correspondent who visited the Amuwo Odofin situated office found it locked, even one of their concerned neighbours ruefully noted that it was “the third time in the year that the secretariat would be locked”.

“These people are truly clearing agents.

They can hardly administer themselves!”, the man who simply identified himself as Jackson highlighted.

The Maritime First learned that the ANLCA Secretariat was again locked up on Thursday night sequel to the takeover of the Dikko Inde House by the Board Members of the Association, led by Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha.

The Mustapha faction of ANLCA had on Wednesday forcefully taken over the ANLCA National Secretariat, allegedly with the assistance of the police from the Festac Division.

Mustapha faction then appointed Acting National President, National Secretary and others, even as the aggrieved, dissolved Executives swore that their tenure was yet to expire.

In a short notice of assurance to his members after the police sealing last night, the dissolved factional National Secretary of ANLCA, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila stated: “Dear Professional Colleagues, ANLCA is a professional organization that cannot be cowed by hooligans and uncultured individuals.

“ANLCA Secretariat now sealed by NECOM for further processes and engagement of the CP Lagos State that gave this cantankerous approval to expired Board Members of Mustapha Taiwo to hold the meeting at ANLCA National headquarters.

“Issue of unlawful breakages and forceful entries is being handled by the Law.

We enjoined ANLCA members to be law abiding and peaceful, while the Law takes its course”.

In the meantime, some 11 ANLCA members from the Eastern Zone has condemned the alleged sacking of the Iju Tony Nwabinike-led executive body.

They also restated their loyalty swiftly, to Iju leadership, on behalf of the Eastern Zone, saying the zone is solidly behind Tony Iju Nwabunike’s led National Executive Committee and the Acting President, Dr Farinto Collins Kayode.

It disassociated itself from any act that prejudiced the decisions of the National Executive Council and the ANLCA Supreme Constitution as amended on 16 December 2020.

The zone said that any action, appointment and directives by the erstwhile Board of Trustees whose tenure elapsed by duration in February 2020 is null and void.

It added that any such action or inaction that is in aberration of elections, appointments and committees as stipulated in the ANLCA Constitution is illegal within the tenets of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents.

The zone stated that it made this release to guide the public on the misinformation trending in social media.

A member of the Western Zone who however spoke on condition of anonymity stressed that the zone has a strong membership population, far beyond the imagination of the 11 persons who purportedly signed the alleged protest letter.

The Maritime First was further told that the allegedly just dissolved Iju-led executive had acted in bad faith, by screwing a Constitutional amendment in a manner, more like an ambush, shortly after illegally expelling some members.

“You illegally expelled some key members; and before the dust is settled, you hurriedly amend the Constitution.

Is such action very moral? Would such a gesture truly engender peace? Was that the manner Prince (Olayiwola) Shittu ran the Association and everyone had a sense of belonging?”, he asked, speaking on condition of anonymity.

But a freight forwarder from the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF who spoke on the development, while describing the Shittu era as the ‘Golden Age of ANLCA, said the body had ‘peaked’ and was now, moving down the hill.

“They have peaked; they are batting with the law of diminishing returns.

We should sympathize with them…”, he stated anonymously, advising that those who feel sincere about the industry “should come and join NAGAFF”.

In the meantime, industry watchers are wondering if the police should not keep a standing command by the Secretariat, following the closing, opening, and closing again of the Secretariat by different police units in Lagos State.