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Court stops FG from taking further actions on disputed e-Customs Concession Project

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Government from enforcing or giving effect to the controversial Customs Modernisation Project, otherwise known as e-Custom, allegedly executed by its agents on May 30, 2022.

The agents, who allegedly executed the disputed concession project are the Nigerian Custom Service, Trade Modernisation Project limited, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria limited and African Finance Corporation.

The court also issued an order of interim injunction against the Federal government or its agents acting through the Federal Executive Council, FEC, from retrospectively ratifying the decisions to concession the Custom Modernisation Project also known as e-custom project to Trade Modernisation Project limited, Huawei Technologies Company limited and African Finance Corporation.

The restraining order issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja division of the court shall last till the hearing and the determination of a suit brought against the Federal Government by two aggrieved companies.

An enrol order issued by the court dated June 17, 2022, was signed by Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo and sighted by DAILY POST correspondent.

The two aggrieved companies are: E-Customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies ( (West Africa) Limited, which jointly challenged the alleged unlawful and fraudulent concession of the e-custom project to African Finance Corporation

Counsel to the two aggrieved companies, Mr Anone Usman had on behalf of the two plaintiffs argued an ex-parte application, in which he prayed the Federal High Court for interim orders against the defendants to protect the interest of his clients.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, while ruling on the ex-parte application granted the prayers of the plaintiffs having placed sufficient evidence of interest in the concession project.

The Judge also granted permission to the aggrieved companies to serve a Writ of Summons and all other processes on the African Finance Corporation at its head office, located at Ikoyi, Lagos, through DHL courier services.

Defendants in the suit are the Federal government of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Finance Minister, Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission, (IRCC) Nigeria Custom Service, Trade Modernization Project limited, Huawei Technologies limited, African Finance Corporation and Bergman Security Consultant and Supply limited as 1st to 9th defendants, respectively.

Justice Ekwo subsequently fixed June 28 for hearing in the matter.

The two plaintiffs had in their statement of claims narrated how they proposed to carry out Custom Modernisation Project through several government officials for the benefits of the Nigerian Custom Service.

They claimed that after series of meetings and negotiations with some of the defendants, President Muhammudu Buhari granted anticipatory approval for the e-custom Project

They averred that on September 2 , 2020, the Minister of Finance presented a memo with number EC2020/153 to the Federal Executive Council, the highest decision making body of the federal government and secured approval for the two plaintiffs to be granted the award of the concession.

The Plaintiffs further claimed that trouble started when the Nigeria Custom Service unilaterally reviewed the Federal Executive Council approval and imposed other conditions, among which are shareholding formulae and governance structure on them.

They claimed that the power of the Nigeria Customs Service to unilaterally review FEC approval was protested and that the Comptroller General of the agency stood his ground.

The Plaintiff asserted that to their surprise, they read in the news that the Nigeria Custom Service had executed a concession agreement with the Trade Modernisation Project on May 30, 2022, with Huawei Technologies Company and African Finance Corporation in total breach of the Concession Agreement vetted by the AGF in conjunction with the Minister of Finance.

They averred that Tade Modernisation Project Limited was incorporated in April, 2022 at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with one Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu a close friend of the Comptroller General as the Chairman.

Plaintiff asserted that the new company, having been just incorporated in April 2022 could not have obtained and did not obtain the full business case compliance certificate from the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission IRCC and the approval of the Federal Executive Council to carry out e- custom project.

They asked the court to make declaration that the decisions of the Federal Government and its agent to enter into concession agreement with Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Huaewai Technologies Company and African Finance Corporation in respect of the e-customs project is illegal, null and void, having been made in gross violation of Section 2 of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act 2005.

They also asked the court to declare that e-Customs HC Project limited is the approved and rightful concessionaire for the e-customs project as approved by Federal Executive Council at its meeting of September 2, 2020 and in line with Section 2 of the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission Act.

They also applied for an order of the court directing the Federal Government, through AGF, Finance Minister, IRCC and Customs to consulate the e-custom project with the 1st plaintiff, (E-Customs Project Limited) as approved by FEC in its September 2020 meeting.

Besides, the two plaintiffs asked the court to compel the defendants to pay them a sum of two hundred million naira (N200m) as cost of litigation.

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Oyo South APC Candidate, Oseni, Takes Delivery of 20 New Transformers for Distribution

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Oseni, has taken delivery of 20 additional transformers for distribution to communities across the district as part of efforts to address electricity challenges and strengthen local infrastructure.

The latest consignment is expected to provide relief to communities grappling with inadequate power supply, particularly households, traders, artisans and small-scale business owners whose economic activities are often hampered by unreliable electricity.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Saturday, Oseni, who currently represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described electricity as a critical driver of economic growth, community development and improved living standards.

He said the intervention was informed by the need to respond to the everyday challenges confronting residents, noting that access to reliable electricity remained essential to both domestic and commercial activities.

“We recognise the difficulties our people face as a result of inadequate electricity supply. For traders, artisans, small business owners and families, reliable power is not a luxury but an important part of their daily lives. The arrival of these 20 additional transformers is another practical step towards responding to those concerns and supporting our communities,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the transformers would be distributed to identified communities based on their electricity needs, adding that care would be taken to ensure the equipment served its intended purpose and delivered tangible benefits to residents.

He further stressed that effective representation should go beyond political promises and public pronouncements, noting that elected leaders must demonstrate their commitment through practical interventions that address the needs of their constituents.

“Our people deserve more than promises. They deserve leadership that pays attention to their challenges and is committed to finding practical ways to address them. We will continue to support initiatives that improve living conditions, strengthen local businesses and bring development closer to our communities,” he added.

The latest delivery adds to Oseni’s infrastructure support efforts across Oyo South, with electricity supply remaining a major concern for many communities in the senatorial district.

The intervention is also expected to complement his earlier efforts to improve electricity distribution and service delivery across the affected communities.

Oseni reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of residents and promoting sustainable development across Oyo South.

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‎Oseni Hails Folarin’s Political Experience, Contributions at 63

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‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 63rd birthday, acknowledging his years of political experience and contributions to public service.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, conveyed his felicitations in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He described Folarin’s birthday as an occasion to reflect on a career marked by years of involvement in legislative affairs and the political development of Oyo State and Nigeria.

‎The federal lawmaker noted that Folarin had established himself as a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, having served in different legislative and political capacities, particularly as Senate Leader.

He said the former Senate leader’s experience in the legislature had given him valuable insight into governance, public service and the responsibilities of political leadership.

The APC chieftain added that Oyo State needed the collective wisdom and contributions of its political leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations, to sustain peace, stability and development.

He said, “Senator Teslim Folarin is a man whose years in public service have given him considerable experience in the political and legislative affairs of our country. His contributions to Oyo State and his commitment to public life are worthy of acknowledgement.

“On this special occasion, I celebrate him and wish him many more years of good health, wisdom and fulfilment.”

Oseni further wished the former Senate Leader renewed strength and greater opportunities to contribute to the development of his community, Oyo State and the country.

‎He also prayed for God’s continued protection, sound health and guidance for Folarin, expressing hope that his new year would bring him peace, happiness and greater accomplishments.

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Oyo South: Oseni releases N110m for ICT, water, solar streetlights in Ibarapa East

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The Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has released N110m for youth digital training, boreholes and solar-powered streetlights across the 10 wards of Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to a statement by the lawmaker’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, the intervention comprises N10m for equipping the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) Secretariat’s Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICT) and N100m for the provision of boreholes and solar-powered streetlights in Eruwa, Lanlate and other communities across the local government.

Oseni, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the ICT centre allocation was intended to provide modern equipment to strengthen digital training and equip young people with practical skills relevant to employment and entrepreneurship.

He said the investment was driven by the need to prepare young people for the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“Our young people have talents and ambitions, but they need access to the right tools and opportunities. Equipping the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) ICT Centre is a practical step towards helping them develop useful skills, become more self-reliant and compete for opportunities in the digital economy,” he was quoted as saying.

The lawmaker explained that the larger allocation of N100m would support the provision of boreholes and solar-powered streetlights across the 10 wards of Ibarapa East.

He said the boreholes would improve access to water for households, while the streetlights would enhance security, improve visibility and make community roads and public spaces safer after dark.

Idowu said the latest intervention was in addition to the lawmaker’s earlier constituency development efforts in Ido and Ibarapa East local government areas, particularly in basic infrastructure and youth development.

He added that distributing the projects across the 10 wards was aimed at ensuring that communities across the local government benefited from the intervention.

“Our responsibility is to support projects that respond to the real needs of our people. Access to water, safer public spaces and opportunities for our young people are important to the well-being of our communities,” Oseni was further quoted as saying.

The APC senatorial candidate reaffirmed his commitment to effective representation and sustained grassroots engagement, assuring residents that he would continue to support initiatives addressing the needs of communities across the district.

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