Nigeria Customs Auction 462 Impounded Vehicles For ₦556 Million
The ongoing e-auction of 462 impounded vehicles by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has resulted in a revenue of approximately ₦556.74 million.
The figure was confirmed in a statement released during the weekend by the NCS Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.
The statement also addressed and dismissed rumors of allocating 300 vehicles to a single individual.
The NCS spokesperson further revealed that a total of 13,605 applicants registered on the e-auction portal, based on the data collected from five successful bidding windows. Out of the 476 impounded vehicles uploaded on the service portal, 462 were successfully won by the applicants.
“The government realized ₦556,738,736 as revenue from the e-auction sale. It begs the question of where the allegations of monumental stealing by the Customs Auction Committee and the committee’s plans to dispose of overtime containers is coming from,” the statement noted.
Maiwada also expressed his disappointment regarding the grave accusations made against the integrity of the current e-auction system, which was established to ensure fairness for all Nigerians.
He emphasized that the NCS is committed to upholding the law and strives to uphold a standard of transparency and accountability in all its operations.
Maiwada also conveyed his dismay over the serious allegations surrounding the integrity of the ongoing e-auction process, which aims to create a fair platform for all Nigerians. He highlighted the NCS’s dedication to following the law and promoting transparency and accountability in its endeavors.
“We wish to categorically deny involvement in fraudulent activities or underhand dealings in the e-auctioning of vehicles or other goods. The NCS Auction Committee operates within the confines of the law and adheres strictly to established guidelines and procedures for disposing of seized/overtime goods,” the statement read.
It added: “Regarding the allegation that over 300 vehicles have been auctioned to just one individual via the e-auction window after purported underhand payments, we wish to state that this is entirely false, misguided, and spurious.
“Furthermore, suggesting that a token sum of N10,000 is collected as duties to the Federal Government on the e-auction window, which has a reserved price of N400, 000 is indeed misleading and misrepresentation of fact.”
