Society Gists

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has remained silent and failed to take disciplinary action against seven senior officials implicated in allegedly accepting multi-billion naira bribes from smugglers operating along the country’s borders.

Reported by PREMIUM TIMES, several high-ranking officials of the service were apprehended and held in custody by the EFCC after approximately N12 billion in bribe proceeds from smugglers were traced to them.

Of the seven officials implicated, six operate within Zone B, where the disciplined employee, Mr. Suleiman, is also stationed. The officers named in the scandal include Ibrahim Jalo, Nurudeen Musa, Mohammed Rabiu, Ibrahim Hamisu, Madugu Saleh, Umar Tafarki, and Kayode Kolade.

Despite their involvement, none have faced prosecution by the EFCC or undergone any disciplinary measures by the customs service.

The EFCC investigation revealed that N1.1 billion was traced to Mr. Jalo, of which he has refunded N250 million, with a commitment to repay the balance. Additionally, N126 million was traced to Mr. Jalo’s personal assistant, Umar Tafarki, who has refunded N12 million.

Another implicated officer is Mr. Kolade, the Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, Port Harcourt. The EFCC traced about N9.5 billion to him, of which he has refunded N50 million and pledged to repay N800 million within a short timeframe.

Mr. Musa, the Comptroller of Enforcement, Kaduna Zone, was found to have N950 million linked to him. The EFCC has recovered N583 million from him following his detention.

Mr. Ibrahim was suspected of accumulating N120 million in bribes from smugglers between 2019 and 2023. He has refunded N13 million and promised to return the remainder. Meanwhile, Mr. Saleh and Mr. Rabiu were suspected of receiving N85 million and N84 million respectively from smugglers.

Mr. Saleh has refunded N13.5 million and vowed to repay the remaining amount, while Mr. Rabiu has refunded N15 million. It was also revealed that at least 33 other Customs service officials are under investigation by the EFCC.