ANLCA: Board Cancels Controversial AGM

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Registered Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has cancelled the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) earlier slated for Benin City on the grounds of procedural violation and alleged incompetence of Dr. Kayode Farinto to do so.

The statement signed by Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, Secretary of the Board on behalf of the Board Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Ibrahim, clarified that only the Board has the constituted authority to call an AGM, even as he said that the tenure Dr. Kayode Farinto as National President of ANLCA has expired; and therefore, not in a no position to act in the name of the National Executive Committee (NECOM).

In the disclaimer published both in the national daily and online mediums, Oyeniyi said that the BoT will announce the convocation of the AGM at the appropriate time, and urged members of the association, stakeholders and the Nigerian public to disregard the purported AGM called by the expired NECOM.

The statement NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF PROPOSED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS SCHEDULED FOR THE 7TH OF FEBRUARY 2023 IN BENIN titled reads:

“This is to inform all members of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and members of the public, of the cancellation of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) earlier scheduled to take place in Benin, Edo State on the 7th of February 2023.

“The cancellation is consequent upon the Resolution of the Registered Board of Trustees of the Association, which declared the scheduled AGM illegal on the ground that the tenure of the purported conveners has expired since April 16, 2022. By Section 13, Subsection 4 (a-d) of the Supreme Constitution of ANLCA 2008 (as amended) the tenure of the National Executive Committee (NECOM) elected in Enugu on 8th March 2018, expired on the 16th April 2022.

Dr. Farinto left, Interim NECOM President, Pius Ujubuonu right

“It is the constitutional duty of the Registered Board of Trustees to convene an AGM  in this instance, and same shall be done as soon as possible.

“Members of the Association are therefore advised to disregard the purported AGM and go about their lawful businesses as a new date, venue and modalities of the said AGM shall be communicated in due course.

“By this Notice, our esteemed stakeholders in the freight forwarding subsector, especially the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Shipping Agencies, Terminal Operators, Nigeria Shippers Council, Edo State Government and CRFFN are equally advised to ignore the purported AGM as it shall be of no consequence. The law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force are particularly advised to take note.

“We regret the inconveniences which the unsavory developments in our dear Association have caused to our teeming members, but please be assured that the Registered BOT is committed to maintaining respect for constituted authorities and also ensuring that Association activities are conducted within established and acceptable constitutional framework.”