Court grants Nigeria Customs permission to auction 3 Vehicles, been unclaimed for over one year

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted the request of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to condemn and auction three cars in their custody that has been unclaimed for over one year.

Mr Umar Lawal, the Counsel for the service, who approached the court through an ex parte motion said that the motion was necessary as part of efforts to generate revenue for the government.

“We are praying to the court for the following reliefs;

“An order that the vehicles listed be condemned as forfeited to the applicant.

“An order authorizing the applicant to sell the said vehicles to the members of the public and the proceeds realized from such sale be remitted to the Federal Government Treasury.

“The vehicles were arrested in 2021 and have been there beyond the one month which the owners are expected to bring papers of proper importation and payment of duty.

” The vehicles have been under the sun all this while and are getting rusted because of the elements of the weather and depriving the government of revenue,” Lawal told the court

He said that the vehicles were intercepted in Abuja and no claim has been made by anyone.

The lawyer said that the NCS would publicise the order of the court allowing the auction to show its sincerity and transparency.

The vehicles comprise a Toyota Land Cruiser, with Chassis No. JTEB X9FJ3L5108348, a Toyota Hiace bus 2014 Model with Chassis No. JTGJXO2P9ECOS7 060 and a white Toyota Hilux, 2021 Model with Chassis No.MROBX8CD2M283 4123.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Onakpya Obererri, an Assistant Inspector of Customs, the vehicles are said to be detained at the government Ware house Karu within the jurisdiction of the court.