The suspect, Mr. Wasiu Ariyo (middle in handcuff) being paraded before journalists at a media briefing n Lagos
Customs arraigns impersonator, 23 smugglers in Federal High Court, Lagos
A middle aged man, Mr. Wasiu Ariyo, has been arrested by officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A and is now standing trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonation and defrauding a banker, one Mr. Azeem Abiodun Akinbiyi of large sums of money.
A middle aged man, Mr. Wasiu Ariyo, has been arrested by officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A and is now standing trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonation and defrauding a banker, one Mr. Azeem Abiodun Akinbiyi of large sums of money.
Ariyo, who was said to have falsely described himself as an Assistant Controller of Customs to unsuspecting members of the public, had earlier been paraded before newsmen at a briefing by Mr. Tahir Musa, Controller, FOU, Zone A, on June 4, this year.
Armed with the false claim, the suspect allegedly went to defraud Akinbiyi, a banker of number 28, Wharf Road, Apapa, Lagos.
Armed with the false claim, the suspect allegedly went to defraud Akinbiyi, a banker of number 28, Wharf Road, Apapa, Lagos.
He allegedly promised his victim that he could procure for him, a Toyota Camry car from the Nigeria Customs Service during the auction sales of seized cars at a sum of N400,000.
Luck however, ran out on Ariyo as he did not know that his victim had made discreet investigations that gave him up as a fraudster.
Luck however, ran out on Ariyo as he did not know that his victim had made discreet investigations that gave him up as a fraudster.
Ariyo was consequently arrested by Customs officials and charged to court where he was granted bail.
Apart from this development, three other suspects were arrested for smuggling around the same period during which goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N219 million including 56 Tokunbo vehicles were seized.
Aside these, cases of under-declaration, underpayment of duty, concealment of imported goods and outright forgery of import documents were unearthed.
During the period, FOU officials impounded a 40-feet container which was dubiously declared to contain 100 cartons of new television sets but was found to have carried 800 cartons by FOU officers who insisted on 100 per cent inspection.
Aside these, cases of under-declaration, underpayment of duty, concealment of imported goods and outright forgery of import documents were unearthed.
During the period, FOU officials impounded a 40-feet container which was dubiously declared to contain 100 cartons of new television sets but was found to have carried 800 cartons by FOU officers who insisted on 100 per cent inspection.
Another container declared to be carrying other goods was found to have contained two KIA sportage vehicles in it while the FOU collected a whooping sum of N29.8 million as underpayment of duty in the month of May, 2009 alone.
Apart from the above, 20 suspected smugglers were arrested in connection with 9 seizures last September and charged to court.
Eight of them have been released on bail by the court.
As at the time of filling this report, 15 containers released from various sea ports in Nigeria containing various imported goods are undergoing investigation by men of the FOU, Lagos while 9 seizures were made between July and September, 2009.
The seizures had a DPV of N99.4 million while 24 smuggled vehicles also impounded by Customs also carried a DPV of N22 million.
Apart from the above, 20 suspected smugglers were arrested in connection with 9 seizures last September and charged to court.
Eight of them have been released on bail by the court.
As at the time of filling this report, 15 containers released from various sea ports in Nigeria containing various imported goods are undergoing investigation by men of the FOU, Lagos while 9 seizures were made between July and September, 2009.
The seizures had a DPV of N99.4 million while 24 smuggled vehicles also impounded by Customs also carried a DPV of N22 million.
