Reps Order CBN to Remove First Bank from Nigeria Custom's Portal

Reps Order Removal of First Bank from Nigeria Custom's Portal Over alleged #100billion 

ZAINAB JUNAID

Strong indications have emerged that different containers would be trapped at various sea ports across the country following the orders given by House of Representative Committee on Customs to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to delist First Bank of Nigeria, FBN, from Nigeria Customs Service Portal.

First Bank Nigeria Plc has been accused of failing to remit over #100billion it collected on behalf of Federal Government of Nigeria on Export Proceeds for Nigerian Exports Promotion Council, (NEPC) thereafter banned from subsequent collection of import duty revenue.

While speaking with journalists, acting president of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, affirmed that currently, clearing agents have been unable to clear cargoes from the port because Customs would henceforth not accept duty payment on PAAR or Form ‘M’ opened under First Bank.

Dr Farinto explained that First Bank collected over N100billion on behalf of Federal Government of Nigeria on the issue of National Export Promotion Council, but the money was not remitted, the House Committee on Customs discovered this development and decided to write CBN to yank First Bank off the system.

"What they ought to have done is to let stakeholders know what was happening, so that anyone having a backlog of jobs can clear them and stop their form M

“This was the same thing that happened to GT Bank last year, but this time around, we are taking this matter before the EFCC.

“The clearing agents are currently stuck, they cannot clear their consignment, demurrage is accruing on cargoes at port. If you make your declaration, if it is first bank PAAR or Form ‘M’, the job cannot proceed until the bank is reconnected back by CBN.

“So, for now, we are directing importers and their agents not to open Form’M’ with first bank for now. We are on top of the situation appealing to the government to give us a little time to clear the backlog," he added. 

“First Bank should be ready for us this time around, we are dragging them before EFCC or ICPC, let it be established that a financial crime has been committed, so that going forward, we would not be having recurrence of such issue

“Don’t forget that last year, GTB Bank did the same thing and went scot-free, nothing happened, no sanctions, is that a healthy situation? In a country where we claim to be fighting corruption.

“I share everybody’s pain, but they must not make any transactions in regards to import duty payment for now so that they would not be stucked,” Dr.Farinto maintained.