Maritime
Freight Forwarders Accuse Firm Of N60m Fraud
APM Terminals, operator of the Nigeria’s busiest container port in Lagos has been alleged to have defrauded freight forwarders and importers of a whooping N60 billion through delays in positioning containers for examination and arbitrary charges for demurrage.
The five point allegations which were contained in a letter to the Controller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko also include what the freight forwarders describe as “Arrogant refusal to discontinue their unacceptable schemes and exploitative charges’’
The freight forwarders (NAGAFF), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) and Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria(AREFFN) also sought the intervention of anti graft agencies to arrest the situation, which they viewed as exploitative against their members.
In separate letters to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and related offenses Commission (ICPC), they called for urgent attention of the agencies to arrest a situation, they describe as being “very germane and apparently criminal before it gets out of hands.
APMT management was alleged to have contrived a scheme whereby containers due for examination are delayed for upward of two weeks without positioning and still charge agents and importers for the delays
They also alleged that the terminal operator have devised means of trapping containers for periods longer than necessary in the ports. “They crafted a curious policy wherein booking of containers for physical examination and scanning closes by 10am in their office and then an average of at least 5 days is wasted after booking for examination, documentation for 3 days and loading a further 2 days thereby trapping consignments for periods longer than necessary in the ports.”
The company was also alleged of deliberately delaying import deliveries in order to accumulate what they described as dubious storage charges for themselves with arbitrary increase of debit notes.
The group of freight forwarders associations averred that it contracted independent auditors to ascertain the level of losses cumulatively incurred by their members to APMT and discovered that N60Billion has been lost for alleged delays and not rendered.
“ In order to properly ascertain the scale of APMT’s management fraudulent scheme foisted on our members, we had to engage the services of independent auditors who have come up with a shocking statistics indicating that our members and indeed the entire Nigerian import community(who we work for) have lost to APMT a whooping sum of N800Million for every 40,000 units of containers delivered through their terminal for the said stagnation or services not rendered but money received by them as a result of dubious scheme founded on dishonesty.
In all since APMT put this scheme in place, our members reckon that they have lost a cumulative sum of over N60Billion.”
The freight forwarders are demanding a full refund of the N60B which according was dishonestly obtained from their members and importers whom they said APMT have subjected to economic slaves in their fatherland.
The freight forwarders also demanded same day booking and same day positioning of containers as it is the practice with other responsible and responsive terminals and a reversal of all charges and debit notes said to have been increased by APMT for the company’s enrichment to the detriment of the Nigerian economy.
They also alleged that several letters sent to APMT on the issue through their Legal Adviser were ignored and that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, whose responsibility it is to protect shippers’ interest had through a letter indicated interest in the matter.
The letter also expressed that Nigeria Customs Service, Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited and other stakeholders had at a recent meeting jointly agree that APMT is responsible for delays being experienced in the container port.
In a terse response, Bolaji Akinola, Media Adviser to APMT in an electronic mail to journalists said “This is pure propaganda; fabricated lies, falsehood, blackmail and unsubstantiated claims. It is their stock in trade and we know them already. We will respond comprehensively and appropriately’’.
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.
