How Customs Sold 300 Cars for N10,000 in a Fraudulent E-

iexclusivenews – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is facing serious allegations of corruption in its e-auction process.

According to a letter from a freight forwarders association, one bidder was able to buy over 300 vehicles for just N10,000 each, after paying huge bribes to the customs officials.

The E-Auction Platform: A Failed Attempt at Transparency

The NCS launched an electronic platform for its auctions in 2017, hoping to improve transparency and accountability in the disposal of seized and overtime goods.

However, the platform faced technical and operational challenges, such as poor internet connectivity, limited access for bidders, and lack of awareness among the public.

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As a result, the platform was suspended after a few months.

In preparation for the resumption of the e-auction process, the NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada announced that a new and improved platform had been developed to prevent any fraud or manipulation.

He assured the public that the platform would be fair, credible, and accessible to all interested bidders.

The Shocking Revelations: A Letter from NAGAFF

However, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) 100% Compliance Team has exposed the massive fraud that is allegedly taking place in the e-auction process.

In a letter addressed to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the team claimed that the customs auction committee had sold more than 300 vehicles to a single bidder, who had paid hefty bribes to the officials.

The bidder then paid a token amount of N10,000 as duties to the federal government for each vehicle, depriving the nation of billions of naira in revenue.

The letter, titled “The Monumental Stealing By The Customs Auction Committee And Their Plans To Dispose-Off Overtime Containers,” was signed by the National Coordinator of the team, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim.

The team also expressed concern that the same fraudulent scheme would be applied to the auction of overtime containers, which had been abandoned at the ports due to high shipping and terminal charges.

The team suggested that the consignees of these containers should be allowed to take delivery of their goods without paying the demurrages, considering the economic situation of the country.

The team urged the Comptroller-General to investigate these allegations and bring the culprits to justice.

The letter concluded by saying,

“We, therefore, implore your good offices to institute a thorough investigation into these unholy practices carefully organized and perpetrated by this auction committee operating presently at the Tin Can Island Port Complex and PTML.”