Customs move to set aside judgement on import duty from passengers baggage

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has said it has filed for the setting aside of the judgment.that nullified payment of import duty on goods/personal effects contained in passengers baggage, saying it received no fair hearing.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on May 13, 2020, delivered a judgment which stops the NCS from collecting payment of import duty on personal effects in passengers baggage.

In his words, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Ali Hameed, said Customs also faults the Court’s pronouncement, described it as misapplying the laws to arrive at a conclusion in the judgment, which it now sought to be heard on its merit.

Speaking for the NCS on the recent development, the National Public Relations Officer(PPRO) NCS, DC Joseph Attah, said the top Management of Nigeria Customs expressed total displeasure on the judgment, disclosed that the service has filed for the setting aside of the judgment.

Attah however stated, “The Service is by this seeking for the case to be heard on its merit and opportunity given for all parties to adequately address the honourable Court.”

He the national image maker of Customs therefore urged the to be calm and wait the out-come of the case. Attach said, “the Service wishes to assure Nigerians of its readiness to comply with the out-come of the Judicial Process”.

He said the agency is not above the law and will, at all times, and in all circumstances explore all the available openings within the ambit of the law in addressing issues.