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E-Customs: Absence of Interior Minister, Comptroller General Customs, Immigration Stalls Probe On Trade Mordeniation Project

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has expressed displeasure at the refusal of Heads of government agencies to honour its invitation to appear before an investigative panel on the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service and management of the nation’s borders.
The House Committees on Customs and Excise and Interior had invited the Minister of Interior, Comptroller General of Customs, Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service and other stakeholders to the investigative hearing on the mordernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the House, at plenary on two occasions had ordered the committees to investigate the modernisation project of the Nigerian Customs Service (e-customs) concession to the Trade Mordenisation Project (TMP), role of Webb Fontaine in the E-Customs framework; the need to employ modern technology to secure Nigeria’s borders and address the challenges posed by illegal migration and border management.
However, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo was absent at the hearing and could not attend the session with the lawmakers, as they said he was out of the country, but no reason was given for the absence of the Comptroller General of Customs and his Immigration counterpart.
A committee member, Rep. Olumide Osoba was displeased at the absence of the Chief Executives, as stated in section 88 of the constitution gives the parliament power to invite any individual to appear before it to offer explanation, and added that in such instance, only the Chief Executives of the agencies are to appear before the parliament.
As a result of their absence,Rep. Osoba said the investigative hearing cannot be held as the representatives of the Chief Executives were not in a position to provide the answers being sought by the parliament.
Another member of the Committee on Customs, Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante asserted that the refusal of the Head of agencies to honour the committee’s invitation was an afront on the parliament, and that if they refuse to appear on the next adjourned date, the committee should invoke its powers and recommend their removal from office.
According to Rep. Abiante, their refusal to honour parliamentary invitation would mean that they are either tired of the job or incompetent to carry out their assigned duties.

In his ruling, Chairman Committee on Customs, Rep. Leke Abejide, emphasized that the investigative hearing on customs modernization focuses on enhancing government revenue, while the second aspect concerns national security.

Rep. Abejide noted that despite the lawmakers’ tight schedules, they prioritized this national assignment. However, he stated that the investigative hearing would need to be rescheduled, preferably after the passage of the national budget and at a time when the key stakeholders can be present to address questions from the committee.

The Committee’s mandate includes probing the concession of customs operations to the Trade Modernisation Project and examining why Webb Fontaine, which has been overseeing the collection process, continues to manage the system.

They are also tasked with investigating the due diligence conducted in selecting the Trade Modernisation Project to take over e-customs operations from Webb Fontaine, assessing TMP’s performance under the concession, and reviewing the introduction of modern scanners aimed at expediting goods clearance processes.

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PSC sacks two police officers, demotes six for alleged corruption, others

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal and prosecution of two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) for alleged misconduct, dishonesty, corruption, sabotage and conduct unbecoming of public officials.
The Commission also approved the demotion of six other officers for similar crimes.

Among those affected are two police chief inspectors who have been demoted to deputy chief inspector, one deputy chief inspector who has been reduced to assistant chief inspector, and three assistant chief inspectors who are now inspectors.i

The information was disclosed in a statement from the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, and shared with journalists on Monday, January 13, 2025.

The statement indicated that these actions were a key outcome of the closing phase of the Commission’s second plenary meeting, which took place at its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

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In addition, the Commission has imposed a severe reprimand on ten senior police officers found guilty of unauthorized disclosure of state secrets, dishonesty, sabotage and conduct unbecoming of senior police personnel.

In addition, nine senior officers were reprimanded, while a deputy police commissioner was acquitted and acquitted, and an assistant chief inspector of police received a warning letter.

The Commission has previously made recommendations regarding police promotions, which have resulted in the promotion of several senior police officers.

This includes the promotion of eleven Commissioners of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, 16 Deputy Commissioners to Commissioners, 21 Deputy Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners, 57 Chief Inspectors to Deputy Commissioners and 1,348 Chief Inspectors to Chief Inspectors.

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Notable among these promotions are Obi-Ejoh Nnamdi Patrick, the former Commander of the Anti-Narcotics Branch at the FCT Commando, who is now stationed at the Kaduna Command, and Milicent Amadi, the Officer in Charge of Surveillance at the State CID in Ebonyi State Command.

According to Channels Television, the statement issued to the media on Monday noted that 876 Deputy Chief Inspectors have been elevated to Chief Inspectors, including Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Enugu State Command.

DIG Hashimu Argungu, the Chairman of the Commission, emphasized the importance of discipline among Nigerian police officers to ensure that they effectively discharge their constitutional duties of law enforcement and protection of lives and property.

He also emphasized the Commission’s commitment to address pending disciplinary cases (PDM) to avoid unnecessary stagnation of police officers.

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These decisions have been formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation, as indicated in a letter signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Onyemuche Nnamani.

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Pregnant lady sets ablaze husband’s suspected side chic

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In Kubwa, Abuja, a pregnant woman was arrested after allegedly killing a woman she thought was her husband’s side chick.

A lawyer recounting the incident on X claimed that the victim had visited the couple on Christmas Day in 2024, after which the man’s pregnant wife had allegedly soaked her in petrol and set her on fire.

She was taken to the National Hospital, where she passed away from her wounds.

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The deceased’s friends took to X to identify her as Lisa (last name withheld to protect her identity).

They disclosed that she was merely the man’s friend.

They also mentioned that Gudu Cemetery is where Lisa was laid to rest.

They expressed their happiness that she is now receiving the justice she is deserved.

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Wike bans ‘pantekas’ for two weeks in Abuja

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has banned the operations of Pantekas (sellers of used items) in the FCT for two weeks.

The decision was part of the conclusions reached during the first meeting of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Security Council of the year 2025, which was chaired by the FCT Minister on Monday.

Wike said the ban on Panteka markets will come into effect from Tuesday, January 14, 2025.e

The minister has also banned scavenging in Abuja city center and its environs, restricting scavengers to be placed in dumping sites only.

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During the meeting, Wike also announced that all those arrested for destroying public infrastructure in the nation’s capital would be charged with economic sabotage and attempted murder.

“The activities of all Pantekas (sellers of used items) are banned for two weeks from tomorrow.

“Scavenging is prohibited in Abuja city center and its environs. Scavengers are now limited to landfills only.

“All those arrested for destroying public infrastructure will be charged in court with charges of economic sabotage and even attempted murder.” Wike said, according to a statement published by his media aide on Twitter (formerly X): Lere Olajinka.

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