A web of intrigue is unraveling within the upper echelons of the Nigerian government as influential officials seek to conceal a vast corruption scandal involving senior figures of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively reveal.
In a sweeping investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at least 40 NCS personnel, many occupying top-tier positions, have been implicated in an extensive probe into the illicit proceeds derived from bribes paid to customs officials by smugglers engaged in the illegal importation and exportation of contraband goods across Nigeria’s borders.
Several high-ranking officials, totaling seven, were detained by the EFCC late last year, enduring the holiday season behind bars, as investigators traced bribes amounting to over N12 billion to their accounts.
Shockingly, despite the damning evidence, none of these individuals have faced prosecution; instead, they have resumed their duties as if nothing transpired.
As Nigeria grapples with fiscal challenges, customs officials continue to amass fortunes for themselves while subverting government policies they are tasked with upholding.
Although the complicity of customs officials in facilitating the movement of contraband goods across Nigeria’s borders is well-documented, the identification and prosecution of culpable individuals remain rare occurrences.
However, the EFCC’s recent investigation has shed light on a network of customs officials accepting bribes from smugglers to facilitate the illicit movement of goods across borders.
The investigation revealed that smugglers directly or indirectly channeled bribes into designated accounts belonging to NCS officials, with the majority of detained officers operating within Zone B, which oversees a significant portion of Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic.
Among those implicated, Ibrahim Jalo, the NCS’ Area Controller for Zone B Kaduna, was found in possession of $31,200 and N500,000 in cash upon his arrest. Despite assuming his position just last year, Jalo swiftly executed 130 seizures within eight weeks, raising suspicions about the source of his wealth. The EFCC traced suspected bribes totaling N1.1 billion to Jalo, who promptly refunded N250 million and pledged to return more.
Similarly, Kayode Kolade, the Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Zone C, Port Harcourt, was linked to N9.5 billion in suspected bribes from smugglers, all of which he allegedly received personally or through intermediaries between 2015 and 2023. Although detained by the EFCC for three days, Kolade has refunded N50 million and committed to raising N800 million.
Other implicated officials include Nurudeen Musa, the Comptroller of Enforcement for Kaduna Zone, who was found with N950 million in suspicious funds. Musa has refunded N583 million to date and promised to repay the remainder.
Despite the staggering revelations and refunds, these officers have resumed their duties without facing prosecution or disciplinary action, raising concerns about accountability within the NCS.
Efforts to obtain official responses from the NCS and EFCC have been unsuccessful, with spokespersons for both agencies failing to provide comments or explanations regarding the lack of punitive measures against the implicated officials.
As the scandal unfolds, questions linger about the integrity of Nigeria’s customs service and the effectiveness of efforts to combat systemic corruption within its ranks.
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