FG Losing N500m Weekly As Lagos Airport Police Seal ANLCA Secretariat

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has raised alarm over the continued sealing of its Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Chapter Secretariat by the Lagos Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, a development that has reportedly cost the Federal Government over ₦500 million in weekly revenue.

According to findings, the lockup, which began last year, persists despite repeated appeals by ANLCA’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and clear court judgments affirming the legitimacy of the chapter’s elected leadership. On June 22, 2023, the Badagry High Court upheld the election of Tope Akindele as the rightful Chairman of the MMIA Chapter. However, contestants to the chairmanship position who were declared invalid by the court allegedly leveraged their influence to procure the police’s controversial action, resulting in the unlawful sealing of the secretariat.

The MMIA Chapter crisis dates back to December 19, 2018, when Akindele, fondly known as Ijoba, was duly elected Chairman. What should have been a routine transition quickly degenerated into a prolonged legitimacy battle, fueled by impostors such as Adewusi Bamgbala and Bola Ashiru-Balogun. Our reporter was informed that despite lacking constitutional backing, both men laid claim to the chairmanship and, with alleged police support, denied Akindele access to office.

Court rulings delivered on February 16, 2021, and June 22, 2023, reaffirmed Akindele’s mandate, directing that he be installed by the National President of ANLCA in line with the association’s constitution. Yet, the police continued to obstruct his swearing-in, enabling Bamgbala and Ashiru-Balogun to sustain their claims without legitimacy.

It will be recalled that on April 28, 2025, a decisive disclaimer was issued against Bola Balogun-Ashiru, stripping him of ANLCA membership thus clearing the final hurdle for Akindele’s ascension. On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the MMIA Chapter erupted in celebration as Akindele finally took office.

Matters however took a sharp reversal when the Airport Police Command, under Commissioner Mrs. Olufunke Ogunbode, allegedly sealed the chapter secretariat, purportedly acting on “orders from above.”

Stakeholders within ANLCA allege that the crisis has been prolonged by financial inducements exchanged between renegade members and certain police officers. These inducements, described as “mouth-watering,” are believed to have entrenched police involvement in ANLCA’s internal politics, turning the association’s crisis into a lucrative venture for some officers.

This partisan posture of the police, members claim destabilized ANLCA’s national leadership under the immediate past administration of Iju Tony Nwabuinike, cascading down to sub-units, with the MMIA Chapter being the worst hit. Although sanity has returned to the national structure under current President Mr. Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji and BoT Chairman Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, the MMIA Secretariat remains locked, undermining the chapter’s operations and government revenue.

The Inspector General of Police’s office had previously pledged to intervene, with assurances that the force would not condone actions inimical to the rule of law. However, the promised resolution has stalled, particularly following recent changes in the police leadership.

At ANLCA’s recent National Executive Committee (NECOM) meeting in Lagos, members expressed frustration over the prolonged closure, urging the leadership to either drag the police to court or secure immediate reopening of the MMIA Secretariat. The BoT assured members of ongoing efforts, citing fresh applications to reclaim the secretariat in line with ANLCA’s constitutional provisions.

Reports indicate that Bola Ashiru-Balogun, expelled from ANLCA and stripped of his company’s license by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has allegedly attempted to use his political influence to undermine the association further. He reportedly petitioned the Lagos State Property Management Department to demolish the chapter secretariat, claiming it lacked valid documentation.

Veteran member Joe Sanni described Ashiru’s actions as “the height of desperation,” accusing him of attempting to destroy ANLCA after failing to achieve his ambition of chairmanship. Former National President and current BoT member, Sir Ernest Elochukwu also condemned the police’s role, stressing that such interference would be inconceivable outside the western zone.

Despite the setbacks, ANLCA’s leadership remains resolute. National Vice President Prince Segun Oduntan urged MMIA Chapter leaders to align firmly with the national leadership and BoT to achieve lasting resolution. Meanwhile, BoT Chairman Mustapha appealed for patience, assuring members that all legal and administrative options are being explored to enforce the Badagry High Court judgment and restore normalcy.

Until the secretariat is reopened, however, the Federal Government continues to lose an estimated ₦500 million weekly, underscoring the urgent need for the Inspector General of Police to call the Lagos Airport Command to order and end what stakeholders describe as an “unwarranted assault” on ANLCA’s integrity and Nigeria’s revenue base.