News
Reps probe Customs over smuggling allegations
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, resolved to investigate alleged smuggling activities by Nigeria Customs Service personnel.
The House decided at a plenary session following adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Mr Oluwaseun Whingan.
Justifying the need to support the motion, the Lagos lawmaker stated that a report by an online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, on November 18, 2024, “Exposed the mass smuggling of over 2,000 cars carrying 6,500,000kg of rice through Badagry under the watch of Customs officers.”
He added, “Videos published by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo provided evidence of customs officers’ complicity in these illegal activities.”
He continued, “Reports of brutality have emerged, including an incident along the Badagry-Seme Expressway on December 1, 2024, where officers from the Nigerian Customs Service, in collaboration with soldiers, violently assaulted two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik.
“The victims were suspected of documenting smuggling activities, leading to threats against their lives and a standoff that required intervention from residents and police.
“Smuggling has severe economic consequences, including undermining local industries, reducing government revenue, promoting unfair trade practices, and flooding markets with substandard and potentially harmful products.
“The actions of some officers within the Nigerian Customs Service contravene its core mandate, erode public trust and raise concerns about the oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel.”
Whingan added, “Despite the presence of multiple checkpoints during the day, particularly in Badagry and other border communities in the nation, economic activities and legitimate trade are paralysed by excessive scrutiny and extortion by Customs officers and other law enforcement personnel.
“At night, these same officers reportedly enable or turn a blind eye to rampant smuggling activities, undermining public trust and perpetuating economic hardship on small businesses, such as rice farmers and poultry producers who are unable to compete with the influx of contraband goods, leading to job losses and impoverishment.
“The complicity of customs officers in smuggling operations and the use of violence to intimidate civilians pose significant risks to national security, economic stability, and the rule of law.”
He argued that the integrity of the Nigerian Customs Service is essential for securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade, and upholding the economic and social well-being of the nation.
With the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise and Defence to investigate the operations and activities of the Nigerian Customs Service across Nigeria’s borders, “With a specific focus on smuggling activities, allegations of complicity, and incidents of brutality and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.”
The House further directed its Committee on Defence and Customs and Excise to examine the role of military personnel attached to customs personnel and ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.
The Committees were also tasked to recommend appropriate measures to enhance oversight, accountability, and efficiency within the Nigeria Customs Service to restore public trust and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and national security interests.
Members of the Enugu State Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji , Rt. Hon. Martins Oke and Hon Anayo Onwuegbu have welcomed Rt. Hon. Dennis Agbo and Hon. Chidi Mark Obeta of Labour Party, (LP) to the PDP fold.
They observed that the visionary leadership of Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba in Enugu State has ignited massive decamps and unprecedented upsurge of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state.
The caucus in a statement issued after the two members of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo of Igboeze North/ Udenu and Chidi Mark Obeta who represents Nsukka/Igboeze South formally announced their transfer of membership to PDP at the resumption of House plenary on Tuesday said it was gladdening to receive them into the PDP fold.
They stressed that PDP in Enugu State was witnessing a great rebirth as a result of the transformative development agenda being unleashed in various sectors of the economy of the state by Governor Mba which has received global commendations.
The Enugu State caucus Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji on behalf of the members further noted that Governor Mba’s investments in infrastructure, agro economy, and security among others have made Enugu State a tourist’s haven adding that with the good governance structure he has put in place, his second tenure would be a walkover.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, along with twenty-one other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), elected into the Assembly has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a major realignment of political stakeholders across the state.
The defection of the twenty-two lawmakers has effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members were originally elected on the ticket of the APC.
Announcing the development on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Speaker stated that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He emphasized that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
While expressing appreciation to members for their contributions so far, Guwor urged the House to ensure the completion of all pending bills as the second legislative session nears its end.
He noted that the political shift towards the APC was in response to the realignment of stakeholders and the desire to align with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“The mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23 and which cumulated on the official reception on April 28, 2025, at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.
He said: “We are fully committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver greater development to Deltans.
“On behalf of the House, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in making this strategic and timely decision.
“As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and Federal Government must be supported and allowed to flourish, so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.”
He informed the House that he had received twenty-two letters (including his own) notifying of the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
The defection, he said, was driven by instability within the PDP’s national leadership and factional divisions within the South-South Zonal Executive Committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity within the party.
Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defection.
“With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action”.
A motion to adopt the letters of party change was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary, the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi reiterated that the defection was prompted by the crisis within the PDP.
“Our decision was based on the instability at the national level and the factionalization at the South-South level. Consequently, we chose to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, in accordance with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he said.
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