NAN-HE-23
Tusks
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN)The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted elephant tusks and pangolin shells with Duty Paid Value of N493.4m at the residence of a Chinese in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Mohammed Garba, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.
According to him, the warehouse operational team of the unit led by Assistant Comptroller Mutalib Sule, made the seizure at about 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday.
“The unit received an information on Monday that there were some export products that were prohibited by government located somewhere in Ikeja, precisely along Allen Road.
“On the 13th of February. the surveillance team were able to locate the building at No 38, Ogundairo Street, Off Allen, Avenue, Ikeja and the genuineness of the information was established.
“Sule moved his men and he was able to intercept 55 sacks of Pangolin and 218 pieces of Elephant Tusks in a building where a Chinese national leaves.
He said that a Chinese man was apprehended and detained, saying that investigation was ongoing on the seizure.
The Customs chief explained that the pangolin shell was a product of mammals, which were endangered species, saying that they were prohibited under Schedule 6 of the common External Tariffs (CET).
He said that the section emphasised that wildlife animals classified endangered species were not allowed to be exported.
Garba said that 55 sacks of pangolin measuring 2,001kg, while elephant tusks weighing 343kg were intercepted.
He said that the intercepted goods would be handed over to the Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation and collaboration.
Garba said that the Chinese , Kio.Soi-Ying, was found in the premises and his watchman testified to Customs that the Chinese was his employer and they lived together in the premises.
However the suspect, who spoke through an interpreter, denied living in the house where the goods were siezed.
“The goods were not found in my house. Customs arrested me in my house at No 4 Ondo Close and brought me to their office. I just saw the goods in the Customs’ patrol vehicle,” Soi-Ying said.
The lawyer to the Chinese man, Mr Francis Obaseki, also claimed that the goods were brought from another premises.
“Customs arrested the security to that premises who brought officers to Soi-Ying’s house.
“The security man testified that he knew Soi-Ying as one of his boss,” the lawyer explained. (NAN)
AIC/YAZ