Succour might have come the way of vehicle owners to get back their seized vehicles courtesy the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).
The new relief is contained in a Circular No HQ/005, 2019 titled ”
Detention and Seizure of Vehicles” sighted by our Correspondent
yesterday.
The circular which was signed by AOB Fatade, an Assistant Comptroller
General of Customs on behalf of the CG and copied to all DCGs, ACGs,
Area Comptrollers and Unit heads reads.
“The Comptroller General of Customs has directed that henceforth, all vehicles detained or subject to detention should be allowed to pay the correct and complete customs duty with 25% penalty levy.”
The statement however gave an exception to already condemned vehicles by a court of competent jurisdiction not to enjoy the privilege.
” Furthermore, you are directed to note that all vehicles seized and taken into customs custody (Condemned by competent court of jurisdiction in accordance with the provision of section 167 of CEMA, paragraph 1, consequently it shall attract the penalty prescribed in Section 167 referred thereto.” The circular stated.
The circular also mandate officers involved to treat the matter as
urgent and to tender reports of such dealings to the Customs
Headquarters on a weekly basis.
” You are to report action to Headquarters on weekly basis.
Treat as most urgent and ensure strick compliance please.”
This move is a win win situation for both the vehicle owners and the Customs Service.
For the vehicle owners, this window is an opportunity to get back their
seized vehicles with lesser amount instead of total forfeiture to
government.
While for the Customs, it will decongest their various warehouses and detention camps as most Commands and Units of the Service across the Country have been filled up to the brim with seized goods, mostly vehicles.
Through this new moves, the Customs will also generate more revenue to the government instead of the vehicles rioting away .
Source: Roamreporters