by The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded damages amounting to over 5.5 billion naira against the Nigerian Customs Service and the chairman, Nigerian Customs Service Board over the unlawful seizure of 90 containers of rice imported by the firm, Maggpiy trading.
Maggpiy stated in its suit that on March 18, 2017, officials of the Nigerian Customs Service invaded and sealed up its warehouse in the Tinapa Free Trade Zone, Calabar, containing about 90 containers of rice stored in air-tight containers.
According to the firm, in addition to sealing its warehouse with its content, Customs officials stole part of the seized rice and detained its 40 trucks, containing 317 transit containers of rice, destined for the Tinapa Free Trade Zone, without lawful justification for 120 days along Onne, Port-Harcourt road.
Delivering judgement today, Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld the plaintiff’s claim and held that the Nigerian Customs Service and the Chairman, Nigerian Customs Service Board, acted unlawfully and without any justification in law.
