Crime
Finally, GTCO suspended over illegal collections by Nigerian national assembly
The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended GTCO, formerly GTBank, from collection of duties on imported cargoes at Nigerian ports following an order from the National Assembly.
The development has led to tons of cargoes being trapped at the port since Monday because freight forwarders could not complete the process of clearing their goods from the port.
Confirming development, National Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Mr. Timi Bomodi said the bank was on temporary suspension on orders of the National Assembly.
Demurages have started accruing on some cargoes that have already made payments through the GTB Bank.
Reacting to the development, the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero disclosed that it is only the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Nigerian Customs Service through the Ministry of Finance that suspended an import duty collecting Bank.
Amiwero also said that the National Assembly by virtue of its oversight function can also suspend a Bank if the Bank is found to be involved in any form of corrupt or sharp practice.
“The people who are supposed to suspend them is the Central Bank of Nigeria going by the law but because of the oversight of the National Assembly, they have a right to do that if the Bank is found to be involved in any corrupt practice” Amiwero disclosed.
Similarly, Taskforce Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Tin Can Port Chapter, Alhaji Rilwan Amuni lamented that there was no official notice or circular from customs to warn the agents from making payments through the suspended bank.
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Amuni said: “There are cargoes we have paid duty on, using Gtbank, some people have paid money, while some have captured the cargo for payment.
“It is unfortunate that when we are about processing our documents after payment, the customs did not attend to the jobs we have paid for, they said that Gtbank has been suspended from their portal.
“Since last week Friday, most of our jobs have been trapped at the port until now, and this is happening at all ports generally.
“I want to believe that the remittances to the Federal Government have not been paid for some time and this could be the reason.
“Ordinarily, customs should have cleared the cargoes we have paid for, but they have refused.
“The effect is that we are going to be paying huge demurages, the customs are supposed to inform the shipping companies, in order to help us from paying these demurrages but they would not do that, there is lack of communication among all the players at the port.”
The EFCC has arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State, following credible intelligence. The suspects were found with luxury items, laptops, and phones
Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State.
The arrests were made based on credible intelligence about their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
Items seized from the suspects include one Lexus car, laptops, and mobile phones. EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests and stated that the suspects would be charged to court once investigations are completed.
This arrest is part of the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat cybercrime and fraudulent activities in the region.
Nine dead and 21 injured in a tragic road crash in Katsina after a trailer carrying cows and humans fell. FRSC urges safer practices.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that nine people have died, and 21 others have sustained various injuries in a tragic road crash in Dankama, Kaita Local Government Area, Katsina State.
The incident occurred when a trailer carrying both cows and humans on top became separated from its main body and crashed onto a pavement.
According to FRSC’s Sector Commander, Mr. Aliyu Ma’aji, the driver of the trailer was attempting to avoid hitting a woman who had fallen from an overloaded Golf car carrying beans. The woman’s fall had resulted in the car losing control.
In a statement issued by the FRSC’s Public Relations Officer, Shamsudeen Babajo, Mr. Ma’aji explained that the driver’s efforts to prevent the collision caused him to lose control, leading to the trailer’s detachment and subsequent crash.
As a result, nine people tragically lost their lives, while 21 others were injured. The injured victims were rushed to the Primary Healthcare Center in Kaita for initial treatment, with some referred to Katsina General Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
This incident has raised serious concerns over the practice of carrying passengers and animals in overloaded vehicles.
The FRSC Sector Commander urged both drivers and passengers to avoid such dangerous practices, stressing that overloading and recklessness are major contributing factors to road accidents in the region.
Mr. Ma’aji further called on passengers to actively report instances of overloading and unsafe driving practices in order to reduce the number of road traffic incidents.
EFCC launches an internal crackdown with 10 officers detained over theft and corruption allegations, marking a critical test of its accountability.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a dramatic internal crackdown, detaining 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over serious allegations of theft and corruption.
This bold move, ordered by EFCC Executive Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede, signals the Commission’s commitment to tackling internal misconduct and ensuring accountability within its ranks.
The officers were apprehended last week and are currently being interrogated regarding the disappearance of several unaccounted-for operational items. The situation has sent shockwaves throughout the EFCC, which has long been regarded as a leading force in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Sources close to the investigation suggest that the case has captured significant public attention, casting a spotlight on the EFCC’s internal operations and raising questions about its ability to police itself.
“Investigators are making good progress,” an insider revealed, adding that anyone found guilty will face stringent internal disciplinary measures.
The unfolding scandal presents a crucial test of the EFCC’s resolve in upholding its own standards of accountability. As an institution tasked with eradicating financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria, the EFCC’s credibility is now on the line as it battles to preserve its reputation while addressing these internal breaches.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of self-regulation and integrity, even for those entrusted with the task of enforcing the law.
The public and officials alike are closely watching how the EFCC navigates this controversy, as the Commission continues to scrutinise its operations and ensure that all its officers uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.
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