By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the World Bank Group, has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme to strengthen compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.

The programme, which began on June 1 and will run until June 12, 2026, is being held at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the mission as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts.

According to Olomu, the initiative aligns with the Customs Service’s vision of becoming a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration capable of meeting contemporary trade and revenue challenges.

He noted that customs administrations across the world are increasingly adopting intelligence-based, risk-driven, and post-clearance interventions that encourage voluntary compliance while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting economic growth.

Olomu explained that the mission would provide an opportunity to evaluate existing operational processes, identify areas requiring improvement, and adopt international best practices aimed at strengthening the Post Clearance Audit framework.

He identified risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems as critical areas that would receive attention during the programme.

The Assistant Comptroller-General emphasised that an effective Post Clearance Audit system allows Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a broader compliance management strategy that enhances revenue collection, promotes transparency, facilitates trade, and builds public confidence.

“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” he said.

Olomu also commended Adeniyi for his commitment to Customs modernisation and capacity development, while expressing appreciation to the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support of Customs reforms in Nigeria.

He urged participants to fully engage in the programme and ensure that knowledge acquired translates into measurable improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery.

In his remarks, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission was designed to enhance the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through exposure to modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and globally recognised methodologies.

Kajubi stated that participants would gain valuable insights into international best practices, compliance management strategies, and case management techniques that could be adapted to Nigeria’s customs environment.

He stressed the importance of technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making in improving audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.

“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations,” he noted.

Kajubi expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the broader modernisation objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Also speaking, Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to improve trade facilitation, optimise revenue generation, and strengthen compliance management through a more coordinated and structured approach to Post Clearance Audit.

He underscored the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring frameworks, and the integration of data analytics into audit operations to improve accountability and operational efficiency.

Dutt further highlighted the role of technology-driven solutions, including the B’Odogwu platform, as well as the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in supporting a competency-based audit system across the Service.

During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Muhammad Jubril, demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, explaining how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.

Closing the event, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the knowledge gained towards achieving the strategic goals of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Technical Assistance Mission forms part of ongoing efforts by the NCS to strengthen compliance systems, enhance revenue collection, and align its operations with international customs standards while facilitating legitimate trade

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Residents of Kampala Street, Wuse II, Abuja, have formally notified the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of a pending court case challenging actions affecting properties in the area, warning that any demolition exercise before the determination of the suit could amount to contempt of court.

The warning was contained in a letter dated June 2, 2026, addressed to the Director of Legal Services, AMMC, by the law firm of M.

P. Anaukyaa & Co., solicitors to six claimants led by Mrs. Nnennaya M. Okeke.

According to the letter, the claimants are parties in Suit No.

CV/1022/26 pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Garki Judicial Division, involving the Hon. Minister of the FCT and Corporate Ideals Properties Limited as defendants.

The solicitors stated that the suit concerns properties located on Kampala Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, and that all relevant court processes, including the writ of summons, motion on notice, enrolled order, and Form 48, had already been served on the defendants.

They drew the attention of the AMMC to an enrolled order issued by the court on April 2, 2026, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

The letter noted that since the FCT Minister is a defendant in the suit and AMMC’s actions are often undertaken pursuant to directives from the minister’s office, it became necessary to formally notify the council of the ongoing litigation and the subsisting court order.

The claimants’ counsel maintained that any attempt to proceed with demolition or other actions affecting the disputed properties would constitute a violation of the court’s directive and could expose those involved to contempt proceedings.

They further argued that the properties in question are fully developed structures, some of which, according to them, have existed for more than three decades.

According to the lawyers, demolition of the buildings before the resolution of the case would result in irreparable damage to the owners and undermine the authority of the court.

“Any attempt to carry out any demolition will not only occasion injustice and irreparable damage, but it will amount to total disrespect and disregard of the express order of the court directing that status quo be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the case,” the letter stated.

The solicitors also attached photographs of the disputed properties to support their claim that the structures are longstanding developments.

They urged the AMMC and all parties connected with the matter to respect the court order and refrain from taking further action until the suit is heard and determined.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the AMMC nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration had issued an official response to the notice.

The matter is expected to come up for further proceedings before the FCT High Court.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the coming 2027 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using poverty and economic hardship as instruments to weaken citizens and prevent them from demanding accountability from government.

Adebayo, who spoke during an interview on the state of the nation, argued that the widespread suffering across the country is not accidental but the direct consequence of policies and governance failures under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

According to him, millions of Nigerians have become so preoccupied with survival that they have lost sight of the rights and privileges that come with citizenship.

“The poverty that Nigerians are facing is artificial, government-inflicted and self-tolerated by the people,” Adebayo said.

The SDP leader maintained that rather than empowering citizens through quality education, economic opportunities and social welfare, the government has presided over conditions that keep people dependent on political patronage and handouts.

He said a hungry population would naturally find it difficult to challenge authority or demand constitutional guarantees from elected leaders.

“My opponent is not Tinubu,” he said. “My opponent is the ignorance of the people. Once they understand what government is supposed to do and what their rights are as citizens, they will know why they are suffering.”

Adebayo argued that the Tinubu administration has failed to uphold the principles of governance contained in Chapter Two of the Constitution, which outlines the responsibilities of government towards citizens.

He said if public resources were properly managed and deployed according to constitutional provisions, the level of poverty, unemployment and social dislocation currently witnessed in the country would be impossible.

Adebayo cited the growing number of out-of-school children as evidence of what he described as a government that has abandoned its core responsibilities.

According to him, children of school age can be found hawking goods, begging for alms and roaming the streets in virtually every part of the country, while many of those enrolled in schools are receiving little or no meaningful education.

“There is no part of Nigeria where you will not find children selling on the streets or begging. Some receive no schooling at all, while others receive schooling without education,” he said.

He further alleged that the APC government has allowed the education system to deteriorate to the point where it produces graduates who are ill-equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He warned that a poorly educated population is easier to manipulate politically and less likely to hold leaders accountable.

The SDP leader also accused the government of distracting Nigerians from the fundamental issues affecting their lives while insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship continue to worsen.

According to him, the prevailing conditions have created a society where citizens are more willing to accept short-term relief and political gifts than demand long-term reforms and good governance.

He argued that this situation benefits politicians who exploit poverty to secure loyalty and suppress public scrutiny.

Adebayo said the solution lies in political enlightenment and civic education, insisting that Nigerians must begin to understand the meaning of citizenship and the obligations government owes them.

“Politicians are looking for voters, but citizens should first understand that they are citizens and what that means. Once they understand their rights, they will stop settling for crumbs and start demanding good governance,” he said.

The SDP stalwart maintained that meaningful political change would only occur when Nigerians reject what he described as a culture of dependency and begin holding leaders accountable for the nation’s vast resources and opportunities.

He added that the task before opposition parties and reform-minded leaders is not merely to defeat President Tinubu at the polls, but to awaken citizens to their constitutional rights and responsibilities.

According to Adebayo, once Nigerians become politically conscious and refuse to be controlled by poverty and patronage, the country’s democratic and economic fortunes will begin to change.