FG Kicks EFCC, ICPC Out Of Lagos Port

The Federal Government has ordered officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and their counterparts from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to leave the port immediately.

The order may be a fall-out of  complaints by stakeholders of the high-handedness of some of the officials of these government agencies that were becoming overbearing. The departure of these anti-corruption bodies from the port which was confirmed by the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is being celebrated by stakeholders in the industry.

In a letter signed by the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) in charge of headquarters of the Service, Musa Tahir, on behalf of the Customs boss, Dikko Abdullahi, and dated 4 February, 2011, he informed all Customs Area Controllers (CAC) at the seaports and Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the new development.

The letter with reference number NCS/ADM/MGT/012/S/43/C and addressed to “All Area Controllers of Seaports and MMAC,” read:  “I am directed to bring to your notice that officers of EFCC and ICPC who participated in the Joint Physical Examination Task Force, have reported back to their organisations.”

The memo further noted that a “Controller of the Service, Bello Liman, would, however, remain behind to sustain the gains of the exercise and to fully achieve the objectives of this assignment.” The letter also enjoined the CACs to continue to give him (Bello Liman) their co-operation to ensure the success of the service in  preventing the importation of banned goods into the country and also in revenue collection.

According to the letter, “Meanwhile, Controller Bello Liman would remain behind to sustain the gains of the exercise and to fully achieve the objectives of this assignment. You are hereby enjoined to continue to give him your usual co-operation, please,” the letter said.