How Some Clearing Agencies Lose Their Operation Licenses
... Police Advises Clearing Agents

By Ebenezer William

Innovations within the operation of the Nigeria Customs Service have exposed the notorious acts of anti-state operators who import contraband and exotic goods without paying the right duties.

Goods, Such as expensive cars have been brought into Nigeria by importers to circumvent customs duties, while others, which include pharmaceutical products, mainly fake and expired ones are shipped in and made to flood the Nigerian market to the detriment of the unsuspecting public.

The worst category of them all is the importation of firearms by syndicates who sponsor insurgency, banditry, militancy and terrorism.

However, the innovation in the Customs, which includes B'Odogwu and the Single Window operation is making life a "living hell for these economic saboteurs".

Innocent and some greedy licensed agents whose particulars were used to access some of these nefarious jobs have a tale of woes to tell as the Nigeria Customs Service has blacklisted and seized the licenses of those caught in the illegal business.

A young clearing agent who sought anonymity told this reporter that he is suffering from what he calls innocent negligence. The now out-of-business freight forwarder stated that his license was used by an importer to bring cars into the country without paying the right customs duties. He lamented that his license was seized and as a result, he is currently jobless and roaming the streets of Lagos in search of any job that can put at least a meal on his table per day.

While seeking litigation against the importer involved,  the freight forwarder was advised through his legal counsel by a senior officer of the Nigeria Police who is handling the case to be more careful while dealing with clients in the importation business. 

She recalled how some clearing agencies both in times past and recently have suffered a similar fate at the hands of cyber rogues who specialise in hacking people's websites for the purpose of short-changing the government of its revenue.

The pensive talking police chief rued the fact that such criminal acts have not only sent many agents out of business but some to their villages while more have transitioned to their early graves.

Her advice states that it is important to play by the rules and get all your priorities and legal agreements right before embarking on any deal with an importer.