• As Ibori, Others may complete jail terms in Nigeria,  following prisoners’ transfer policy

The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri, an anti smuggling arm of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has impounded a 40 feet container load of two 2,000 cartons of imported frozen poultry products, cleverly concealed by 3,300 crates of Lacasara drinks, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N53,300,000.

The items which were intercepted on the Benin express way – Edo State were suspected to have been preserved with chemicals, meant for the preservation of dead bodies by the smugglers.

The seizure, according to Customs Area Controller in charge of the Unit, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu came on the heels of an earlier seizure of one 1,500 cartons of the same hazardous products in January, 2016 by the unit.

Comptroller Mamudu while briefing newsmen at the Customs house premises in Benin Edo state, explained that the recent seizure of imported frozen poultry products coincided with the end of February month report, which he noted,  offered the Unit 27 seizures with a DPV of N219,239,208.21.

Comptroller Haruna explained that in addition to the Seizures, 12 suspects were also arrested while N65,434,441 underpayment was equally recovered during the month.

Comptroller Haruna stressed the consequences of continued importation and consumption of unauthorized products in the country, and regretted that such products easily come in because of their relatively cheap prices which usually attract members of the public, especially the youth.

Before he subsequently handed over the impounded fake drugs to officials of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director in Edo State, Mr. David W. West, alongside some other sister agencies heads present,  he warned those still engrossed in the illicit act of smuggling, as well as their collaborators and agents to desist forthwith in their own interest, or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He wondered why smuggling of contraband goods had remained unabated in the country despite stiff penalties for culprits arrested and urged well meaning Nigerians with useful information about smugglers to make them available to relevant government agencies for necessary action.

He maintained that the NCS in pursuance of the policy of zero tolerance to corruption by the Federal Government would ensure that there is no hiding place for smugglers.

“Zero tolerance to corruption is now on. It is being pursued with vigour by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtrd.) and we are leaving no stones unturned,  to ensure it success!” he concluded.

In the meantime, Nigerians serving jail terms in the United Kingdom will soon be transferred to Nigeria to complete their period, following an agreement signed yesterday between the Federal Government and the UK government.

According to a top government source, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, will be part of those that will be repatriated to complete their jail term in Nigeria.

Ibori still has more than six months to stay in prison.

The British government has also promised to give Nigeria one million pounds (about N280 million) to assist in the comprehensive reformation of Nigerian prisons to ease the stress of the inmates.

The United Kingdom Minister of Justice, Mr. Jeremy Wright, revealed this when he led the UK team to visit the Minister of Interior to finalise the process of prisoner exchange between the two countries.

He said under the agreement, which he signed, Nigerians in British prisons would be repatriated to complete their jail terms in the country.

Wright told the minister the importance of the two countries respecting the agreement, saying there is need for the state of prisons in Nigeria to be improved.

Wright, who led a five-man delegation to the ministry, said even though the prisoners were paying for the crimes they might have committed, conditions in detention centres where they were staying should be made humane and accommodating.

He hailed the Federal Government and the Minister of Interior for making it possible for the two countries to finalise the agreement, which would lead to the mutual exchange of prisoners and said efforts would be made to foster the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Additional report from Nation