The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a press statement strongly refuting allegations of impropriety in the e-auction process for overtime/seized goods. The statement comes in response to a report titled “The Monumental Stealing By The Customs Auction Committee And Their Plans To Dispose-Off Overtime Containers,” raising concerns about the integrity of the ongoing e-auction system.
The NCS, as a law-abiding government organization, expressed great concern over the serious accusations regarding the transparency of the e-auction process. The service emphasized its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of accountability and transparency in all its activities, taking any accusations of improper behavior seriously.
In the press statement, the NCS categorically denied any involvement in fraudulent activities or underhand dealings related to the e-auctioning of vehicles or other goods. The NCS Auction Committee, according to the statement, operates within the confines of the law and strictly adheres to established guidelines and procedures for the disposal of seized/overtime goods.
Addressing specific allegations, the statement refuted claims that over 300 vehicles had been auctioned to a single individual through the e-auction window after alleged underhand payments. The NCS declared these allegations as entirely false, misguided, and spurious. Additionally, the statement clarified that the suggestion of a token sum of N10,000 being collected as duties to the Federal Government on the e-auction window, with a reserved price of N400,000, is misleading and a misrepresentation of facts.
Providing data from the e-auction portal, the NCS highlighted that in five bidding windows, 13,605 applicants registered, 476 vehicles were uploaded, and 462 were won, resulting in the government realizing N556,738,736 as revenue. The service questioned the source of the allegations in light of these figures.
The press statement concluded by reaffirming the NCS’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in all its activities. The service urged the public to join hands in promoting an inclusive system that is fair to all Nigerians, regardless of their status.