CSO seeks suspension, prosecution of corrupt customs officers

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), a civil society organisation (CSO), says personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) guilty of corruption should be suspended and prosecuted.

Citing investigative reports by TheCable, PREMIUM TIMES, and Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the CSO said a “thorough inquiry” into the accusations of smuggling of foreign rice and other prohibited items should be conducted.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, CHRICED’s executive director, said there is weak oversight of customs.

“The Nigeria Customs Service Act provides for the establishment of a Governing board — in section 7(1) — which shall have powers, among other things, ‘to review and approve strategic plans for the Service, and recruit, promote and discipline officers of the Service’,” Zikirullahi said.

“Despite these powers, the board is no more than a lap puppy for the Minister of Finance going by S.12 of the Act, which limits the power of the board.

“We are convinced that the minister of finance, the board of the Nigeria Customs, and the national assembly must urgently respond to the EFCC investigation report, undercover investigations by Mr. Soyombo of 2015 and 2024, investigations by TheCable newspaper, and various audit reports of the Auditor General of the Federation regarding the culture of corruption and impunity in the Nigeria Customs Service.

“While support for democracy remains relatively high in Nigeria, it should worry the governments at all levels that almost 80% of Nigerians are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in Nigeria, pointing to an urgent need for reforms to make democracy work for all.”

The executive director asked the federal government to put in place a comprehensive national strategy to combat corruption.

“This strategy should aim to enhance the autonomy of anti-corruption bodies, granting them the necessary independence and authority to effectively carry out their duties without any external interference or influence,” he said.

“This can be achieved by empowering them to investigate and prosecute corruption cases without fear of reprisal or political pressure.”