In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal in Kaduna has declared that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has no authority to patrol highways and seize goods from individuals. The court’s decision is a significant check on the powers of the NCS, which has been accused of overstepping its bounds.

The ruling was made in response to an appeal filed by the NCS against a Federal High Court judgment that acquitted a businessman, Suleiman Mohammed, of charges related to the importation of foreign goods. The court ordered the immediate release of 613 bags of foreign rice, 80 bags of millet worth approximately N200 million, and a truck impounded from Mohammed on June 14, 2019, along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway.

Justice Ntong Ntong, speaking for the three-member appellate panel, declared that the NCS has no right to patrol highways or expressways to arrest individuals and confiscate goods under the guise of importation bans.

The judge emphasized that the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway is not a land border and therefore does not fall under the NCS’ jurisdiction for enforcing bans on foreign rice imports.

The ruling is a major victory for individuals and businesses that have been affected by the NCS’ overzealous enforcement activities.

Many have complained of harassment and extortion by customs officials who have been patrolling highways and seizing goods without proper authority.

The court’s decision is also a significant reminder of the importance of respecting the rule of law and upholding the rights of citizens.

As one commentator noted, “It seems like every government agency exists solely to inflict pains on Nigerians. The growing hostility and bad blood between these agencies and the Nigerian people are deeply concerning”.

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