Former Deputy President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Segun Musa, has described the auction system of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as fraudulent.
He said this via a social media which was sighted by Parallel Facts
While he acknowledged the importance of not appearing antagonistic towards customs activities, he questioned the integrity of a system that seemingly sells high-value exotic cars worth millions for a fraction of their actual value.
READ MORE: Obi Accepts Sun Award, Dedicates It To Impoverished Nigerians
“I don’t want to be seen as antagonistic to customs activities but still does it mean that customs sold exotic cars of over 20 to 50 million naira for 1 million naira?
“Obviously, the customs auction system is a fraud and every meaningful Nigerian needs to call out the CGC and the customs formation over this criminality,” He stated.
Musa suggests that if the system intends to offer goods at significantly reduced prices, it should prioritize inviting the rightful owners to purchase them at a discounted rate, rather than conducting what he describes as an “organized victory auction.”
“If the system wants to give away peanuts why not invite the rightful owners to come and buy at half price rather than this organized victory auction?
“I look forward to an occasion where I will confront the hierarchy of the customs over this highly suspicious auctioning,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, the Customs service has denied allegations of corruption levelled against her by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) which had alleged that the auction process was being carried out to favour certain individuals.
NAGAFF specifically alleged that over 300 vehicles have been auctioned to just one individual via the e-auction window after underhand payments were made.
In a swift response through a press statement on Friday, National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada said the service is in receipt of a report titled “The Monumental Stealing By The Customs Auction Committee And Their Plans To Dispose-Off Overtime Containers” with great concern.
