Customs announces fresh guidelines to fast-track disposal of seized goods

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has approved new procedure for the disposal of seized and overtime goods to address irregularities on the past procedure, including fake online auctions.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister of Finance, Mr Festus Akanbi.
According to the statement, the NCS had set up four committees on assessment, disposal, seizure and overtime to this effect.
It stated that the new guidelines, signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hammed Ali, would dispose of perishable items with or without the defendants by the relevant committees.
It said that for goods classified as general goods, the new guidelines stated that they must be disposed of after condemnation by a competent court within 30 days of seizure.
According to the statement, the guidelines also stipulate that all overtime cargoes are to be published in the Federal Government’s gazette when they fall due over 30 days.
“Under the new dispensation, the NCS will advertise information on seized and overtime goods for disposal with their reserve prices in the media and on its official website.
“The authorities enjoin interested buyers to apply online, specifying items of interest and accompanied with an approved means of identification and a recent passport photograph scanned onto the dedicated portal on the website.
The guidelines further explained that successful applicants would be required to make payment within 14 days of notification through designated banks at the area commands where the goods are domiciled.
It stated that any returns on disposals would need to be rendered to the Comptroller-General not later than 21 days after completion of each exercise.
The statement further said the Assessment Committee would consist of not less than five officers of “high integrity’’, including valuation officers at all area commands supervised by the Zonal Co-ordinator.
“The committee shall undertake inspection, collation and fixing of prices of all goods on monthly basis and is to forward its report to the Auction Committee.
“The Seizure Committee and Overtime Committee will be responsible for handling the disposal of overtime and seized goods.
“The Seizure Committee shall comprise of representatives of all departments of the NCS, including representatives of headquarters not below the rank of assistant controllers or its equivalent,” it stated.
It stated that the Overtime Committee on the other hand would comprise the Assistant Comptroller- General, Enforcement, NCS; Director, Legal and 14 others from relevant government agencies.
Also, there would be representatives from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Directorate of Security Services and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Nigeria Ports Authority, Police, EFCC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria and Chief of Defence Staff would also have representatives.