Customs Releases Bullion Van Loaded with Rice and N24 Million to Access Bank: Explanation Provided.
The Ogun Area Command II of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has clarified the release of a bullion van, which was impounded in April 2022 for transporting 12 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice and N24 million.
The van, belonging to an Access Bank branch in Abeokuta, has been handed over to officials of Bankers Warehouse Ltd. and Access Bank.
Customs Area Controller Olusola Alade addressed the media in Abeokuta, revealing that the decision to release the bullion van and the money was made on compassionate grounds after a thorough investigation.
The bullion van, with registration number FKJ 993 BZ, was seized on April 22, 2022, by a joint border patrol team along the Sokoto-Ijoun/Joga road in the Abeokuta axis.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has now ordered the release of the bullion van and the money to both the Bankers Warehouse and Access Bank on compassionate ground after investigation,” Alade stated.
Three suspects were apprehended and charged to court in connection with the smuggling incident. The seized rice, concealed in the vehicle, was converted to seizure in accordance with Section 168 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
After conducting a thorough examination, the discovered money was deposited at the Abeokuta branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safekeeping.
“In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail, and subsequently charged to court for aiding smuggling,” Alade explained.
Bankers Warehouse Ltd and Access Bank submitted an appeal letter to the Customs’ Comptroller-General, seeking the release of both the van and the money on compassionate grounds.
Following the investigation and recommendations from the NCS Investigation Unit, the Comptroller-General approved the release, aligning with the provisions of Section 248 (1) and (2) of the NCS Act, 2023.
This development raises questions about the circumstances leading to the release of the impounded van and money, highlighting the complexities involved in cases of seized assets and the compassionate considerations that may influence such decisions.
Source: NAN News
