Customs CG showcases N1.8B Worth of Seized Expired Drugs, Warns Against Dangerous Imports

By Afolabi Oyekunle.

Customs Chief Showcases N1.8B Worth of Seized Expired Drugs, Warns Against Dangerous Imports

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has showcased tramadol seizures, expired and unregistered pharmaceutical products worth N1.8 billion at Apapa Port.

The CGC, who showcased the items during a press briefing on Thursday, 15 August 2024, highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service's (NCS) resolve to prevent any importation that could be detrimental to the health and well-being of Nigerians.

His words, "While our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade remains unwavering, we are equally dedicated to ensuring that any import consignment or export cargo transiting through our ports under customs control is thoroughly checked using our non-intrusive (scanning) measures and physical examinations where necessary".

"Today, I am here to present seizures made by our officers at the Apapa Port Command, which comprise expired and controlled pharmaceutical products with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of NGN 1.8 billion. Aside from being expired, some of the seized drugs were imported without undergoing the necessary regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number. We also have containers seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments, which amounts to smuggling", he explained.

The Customs Boss noted that, in total, 12 containers were seized and in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

In addition to the pharmaceutical products, there were two 40ft containers with 15,540 and 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes. A total of 27,540 pieces of cutlasses and machetes were contained in the two containers.

Customs CG Adewale Adeniyi

The CGC advised port users to remain compliant and vowed to run importers of illicit items out of business.

"Port containers are on parade today, the owners of these truck containers, we are going to run them out of business and use them as a deterrent to others who still believe they can doubt our resilience and our commitment to rid Nigeria of dangerous products and prohibited items", he stated.

He commended the response of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu and all his officers and men for responding adequately to the challenge he had thrown at them. "They have shown commitment and passion, and they have shown that they can indeed be counted when we are talking about patriotic Nigerians".

Comments

Omisande: CPS Pensioners in Lagos State assured of payment of their increase pension benefits as their Federal counterparts.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme(CPS) in Lagos State have been urged to be patient concerning their much awaited increases, as there are assurance that all what they are entitled to will be paid earlier next year. This assurance is coming from the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, NUPCPS, Lagos State Council, Comrade Michael Omisande. Comrade Omisande who spoke to ForumNews at the sideline of the end of year get together of Agege Zone Pensioners said what is delaying is the Template which is being awaited Comrade Omisande said just as the Federal workers who have started receiving their own entitlements, all Pensioners under the scheme in other five states will receive their own as approved by the Federal government. According to him, the PFA'S have been given till 20th December to pay all Federal Pensioners. He said after the completion of the Payment, PenCom will ther...

PenCom urges Lagos State Governor to extend periodic pension increase to retirees under CPS, as Sanwoolu welcomes the idea.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to extend periodic pension increases currently enjoyed by Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) retirees to those under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to boost their monthly pensions. The Director General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, made the request during a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos State Government House on 7 May 2025. The visit was to present the report of PenCom’s 2024 routine inspection of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) and to thank the Governor for confirming his participation as Special Guest at the Pension Industry Leadership Retreat starting 8 May 2025. PenCom DG pointed out that currently, only DBS retirees are paid pension increases in Lagos State, leaving out their counterparts under the CPS. DG PenCom Ms Oloworaran with Gov Sanwoolu who presented her with Lagos State plaq...

PENCOM pledges to see that Lagos State pays CPS retirees.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Director General of National Pension Commission, Ms Omolola Oloworaran has pledged that the Commission will fast track and work towards Lagos State government paying retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme what is due to them like their federal counterparts. She made the pledge at a media workshop in Lagos for journalists. The Director General was surprised when she was asked why the Template for the payment was not released to Lagos State government for the payment of backlog of areas and allowances as approved by the Federal government, which Federal retirees are currently enjoying. PenCom DG, Omolola Oloworaran She thereby directed her staff to work on the Lagos State matter to settle the matter towards making the Lagos State government have all the necessary information needed to pay the retirees. The PenCom Director General noted that Lagos State government was one of the few states that keyed into the progra...

Search This Blog