Grimaldi Agency Faces Renewed Fire Over Alleged Illegal Container Sales

BY KESIENNA SHEPHERDS

The simmering dispute between Grimaldi Agency Nigeria and Okey Ibeke, Principal Consultant of International Trade Advisory Services, has escalated into a full-blown confrontation, with Ibeke issuing a blistering counter-statement that challenges the shipping giant to provide evidence of compliance with Nigerian law, or remain silent.

On June 1, 2026, Ibeke addressed members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), alleging that Grimaldi had moved to sell 2,500 empty shipping containers locally without following due process. Grimaldi swiftly denied the claims, branding them “falsehoods.” But Ibeke’s latest release insists the company’s rebuttal is riddled with “prevarications” and reflects the “corporate arrogance” often displayed by international shipping firms operating in Nigeria.

Key Allegations Against Grimaldi

Illegal container sales: Ibeke argues that Nigerian law does not recognize “foreign customs status.” Once containers are sold to Nigerian buyers, they must be converted to permanent import under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Customs duty evasion: He insists Grimaldi, not buyers, is liable for duties on temporarily imported goods. Section 245 of the Act empowers Customs to demand duties from “any person who deals with goods liable to duty without payment.”

Delayed denial: Ibeke points to Grimaldi’s three-week silence before issuing a denial, calling it “damning” and suggesting tacit admission.

Dollar invoicing: He accuses Grimaldi of breaching Central Bank of Nigeria rules by invoicing in USD for domestic transactions, contravening FX and local service regulations.

Terminal breaches: Allegations extend to violations of Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Shippers’ Council regulations, including failure to reconcile container movements and improper valuation practices.

The Bottom Line

Ibeke maintains that Grimaldi’s defense rests on commercial contract law, which cannot override statutory provisions. He warns that the company risks:

-Loss of customs duties and taxes per container

-Penalties under Sections 248/249 of the NCS Act

-Possible suspension of its operating license under Section 4(1)(b) of the NSC Act

This is even as he reiterated the demand that the Nigeria Customs Service should compel Grimaldi to produce a full list of containers sold in Nigeria since 2006, along with evidence of duty payments and buyer details.

What’s Next

The standoff has placed Nigeria’s shipping industry under intense scrutiny, with stakeholders watching closely to see whether Customs will act on Ibeke’s passionate demands. The controversy also raises broader questions about compliance, transparency, and the dominance of foreign shipping firms in Nigeria’s maritime sector.