By Ambrose Obioma Okehi (News Emperor)

Success can be defined in so many ways and manners. Success may not be seen in terms of wealth accumulation, power possession or even positions of authority one occupies, nor one gaining prestige of popularity in the society. No. Real success is, becoming what your creator wants you to become. Doing what God wants you to do.

This definition comes true when you equates it with the anticedents, the character and personality of Deputy Comptroller Kehinde EJIBUNU, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs service (NCS).

Whether you like it or not DC Ejibunu is out there to do his job without fear or favour.

I mean, he cannot be intimidated by any one, no matter highly placed. in fact, the CAC is a no-nonsense officer, a well trained technocrat and anti-smuggling Czar.

At the moment, he is fully out against economic saboutours, moreorless known as smugglers. For that single reason he has vowed to deal messlessly with anyone caught trying to defraud the government.
To him, those who are bent on seconventing the system (the economy) or plotting to reap off the federal government of its rightly revenue must not go scout free.

He is working in accordance with the three point agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC’s), Col. Hameed Ali, (rtd) which is hinged on more revenue generation, suppress Smuggling activities to the nearest minimum, Facilitation of trade.

No doubt, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A ,Ikeja under the pragmatic DC Ejibunu, is on the right track.
The unit, according to sources, is currently a no go-gi-area for smugglers and their co-holts in their nefarious operations.

Under the DC, there is level headedness, cooperation among officers and men working there, the level of trade compliance among operators, particularly freight forwarders and other port users is encouraging.
Checks reveal that fiscal policy compliance is in accordance with the rules of operations and statutory mandate.
And that Command is intune with international practice.

The CAC, has not in anyway relented in proving that he is competent in his responsibility, a real technocrat, and an anti-smuggling witzard, who knows his job very well and does it with all his mind without looking back.

Ever since he came to the FOU as the Acting CAC, Federal Operations Unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussian Ejibunu has demonstrated and proved the doubting Thomoses wrong. He has also shown that he knows the job to the best of his knowledge and can do it.

Strategically and tactically, the CAC is discharging his daily responsibilities with the needed integrity and effectiveness the job needs in such a way that he has become the cynosure of all eyes.

Speaking of the officers’ welfare at FOU unit, Zone A, a stakeholders once told News Emperor that ‘ “the situarion there is not to tell a first time comer, but he will bswe by himself,” the first time comer to FOU, who did not want his name on the print told News Emperor.

The zeal with which his officers and men work, shows the level of motivation they sttatch to their job.
Reports also have it that the officers and men are operating with high level of motivation and zeal which in the other way round has helped to boost the productivity level of the unit and is equally helping in suppressing and discouraging illicit trade while enhancing and encouraing trade facilitation which is one of the core mandates of the service.

The CAC has not in any way compromised in his Normal way if carrying out daily responsibilities.
And for this reason, he and his management team has warmed smugglers the stay away from their operational jusrisdiction or risk their investment.

To the notorious smugglers and their operations, he has this for them:
“It is an unpatriotic activity that involves the importation or exportation of goods through unlawful means with the objective to evade or underpay Customs duties, taxes, and any other measures of prohibition or restrictions on the importation or exportation of such goods.”

His warnings to the smugglers continued thus: “Smuggling has an extensive menace on the economy that has continued to impact on activities of locally manufactured goods. It also encourages acts of criminality in society.”

Speaking on the legality of offence, the CAC however warned Smugglers that according to the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 LFN (2004), is any or all of the following: “Outright avoidance of Customs official control across the ports and borders
under declaration of goods; a situation where the importer declares a lesser quantity than the actual quantity of goods imported
under valuation of goods; a circumstance whereby
goods valued lower than the correct value wrong classification of goods; this is a situation of declaring goods under a different class of imports to attract a lower
rate of duty and tax
falsification of Customs documents with the intention to evade or reduce duties and tax.”

“Smuggling is an unpatriotic act and a crime that can lead perpetrators to jail. 18 suspects were arrested in connection with some of these offenses in February 2023, and are at different stages of investigation and prosecution.”

The CAC added, “Notable among the wares seized in February 2023 for non-compliance with the extant Customs laws are: “5,328 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 9 trailer loads)
1 x 40 ft container said to contain 512 cartons of generators (on detention for false declaration)
1 x 40 ft container said to contain 2,298 cartons of half gasoline engines (on detention for false declaration) 29,875 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS)
283 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products 75 kilograms of cannabis sativa 5 units of foreign-used vehicles 1 x 40 ft container said to contain charcoal meant for export.

“These goods have a total duty paid value of Five Hundred and One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira (N501,460,875).”

To him, “The effects of smuggling these wares have a very significant negative impact on our economy. These include loss of revenue, distortion of market prices, and collapse of local industries. Thus, all patriotic citizens are to join the fight against economic sabotage.”

He reassured, “In continuation of our onslaught against smuggling and economic saboteurs, this Unit made a major breakthrough in the bursting and arrest of a two-man syndicate that forge Customs clearing documents.” Adding, “Sequel to the arrest of one suspect (Shuaibu Kolo) with a 2007 Mercedes Benz along Ajilete-Idiroko Road of Ogun State, whose arrest and in-depth investigation that led to the unravelling of over 600 pictures of vehicles domiciled in Benin Republic awaiting to undergo forged clearing process by the same criminal syndicate.”

Giving clearer information about the seizures, the CAC disclosed that the Items recovered from the suspects in the course of arrest and investigation include: Fake Customs valuation stamp;
Fake Customs Duty Chart Book on vehicles; Fake Customs documents and vehicle registration documents; 4 computer monitors; 3 computer processing units; one keyboard and
one printer.

However, the CAC reassured that, “In our resolve to safeguard the national economy and prevent revenue loss, officers on legitimate duties are ambushed and attacked by suspected smugglers and their sympathizers; using guns, machetes, charms and other dangerous items; the most recent incident of these kind of assaults on officers is the one arrested using charms to attack personnel at Owoyele Igbogila road of Ogun State.”

DC Ejibunu, confirmed to the newsmen that: “In our quest to prevent revenue loss through under-valuation, under-payments, and wrong classification, the sum of One Hundred and Three Million, Six Hundred and Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Seven Naira, Thirty-Two Kobo (N103,604,297.32) was collected following the issuance of demand notices to defaulters.”

However, the CAC reassured the business community that this Unit is ever ready to encourage compliant traders by facilitating their legitimate businesses as enshrined in the extant laws. However, recalcitrant traders are strongly advised to desist from violating the extant regulations or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

The CAC, according to findings, can and has refused to be detered by the various challenges confronting the Unit, rather prefer to remained commitment and focused in the face of all these.

The unit’s anti-smuggling drive and revenue blockage have proven that DC Ejibunu is on top of his job and thar the Unit under him working hard and re-strategising in its operations and re-injecting new methods of tracking down this economic fraudsters.

However, the Unit have harnessed the human resources and logistics provision for the prevention of economic sabotage.
Reacting to that, DC Ejibunu, said, “We did not only re-strategize our operations but our officers and men are urged to be more professional, and are keyed into the Service’s Standard Operations Procedure (SOP); aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.” Adding, “In doing this, we are assuring all compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear. While the recalcitrant ones are advised to desist because we are better mobilized with high morale to arrest, prosecute, and make them loose their wares in forfeiture to the federal government.”

The CAC asserted, “Seizures recorded in January 2023 are a reflection of officers and men commitment to duty and no compromise posture in the discharge of our statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited, and harmful goods.”

Adding, “Prominent among the seizures are: 5,481 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to over 9 trailer loads); 47,750 litres of premium motor spirit; 68 pieces of military camouflage; 314 pieces of used tyres; 11 units of used motorcycles; 13 units of used vehicles; 450 x 106 kg drums of carbide (on detention).”

Deputy Comptroller Ejibunu, said, “These goods were intercepted along the border corridors of the South-West for contravening different Customs laws. Eleven (11) suspects were arrested in connection with some of the wares. While the Federal High Court had convicted three (3) people for the crime of smuggling.”

The added, “The total duty paid (DPV) value of the seized goods is Five Hundred and Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Naira N517,918,790. While the sum of Eighty-Six Million, One Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira, Fifty Kobo (N86,117,398.50) was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid.”

However, considering the spate of insecurity across the country and the general elections; it can be postulated that the importation of Indian Hemp and military camouflage could be used to fuel crimes and electoral violence by unpatriotic elements. while the former is under prohibition, the latter are under the control and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser, which requires End-User Certificates.

The public, the CAC noted are key to exposing the culprits through useful information.
“Members of the public are hereby enjoined to key into the prevailing security concerns by providing useful and timely information that would expose and lead to the arrest of the enemies of the state.”

While handing over some of the seized drugs to rightful government agency at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos actually handed over 2,135 wraps, (1,163 kg) of Indian Hemp to the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency while as well showcasing other seizures made within the period under review.

The CAC however attributed these achievements of the unit to the numerous supports the command is getting from the top management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), headed by Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).

Deputy Comptroller Ejibunu therefore commended the Customs top management team for their tremendious support and fatherly encouragement so far.