Economy
Customs Shut 3 Terminals In Apapa, Intercepted 27 Illegal Containers In 6 Months
Customs Shut 3 Terminals In Apapa, Intercepted 27 Illegal Containers In 6 Months
Customs shut 3 terminals in Apapa, intercepted 27 illegal containers in 6 months. He urged all officers of the command to redouble their efforts to surpass the command’s target for 2025.
The Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sealed three bonded terminals in Apapa for various infractions, with one terminal charged to court for prosecution.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this during a media conference held in Lagos on Thursday.
Mr Olomu stated that investigations were ongoing for the remaining two bonded terminals.
He warned perpetrators of illegal operations to desist from such activities, adding that the Apapa Command is staffed by “eagle-eyed officers”.
He revealed that between January and June 2025, the command intercepted 27 containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N9.2 billion.
Nine of these seizures included containers carrying unregistered pharmaceuticals, used clothing, expired margarine, wild animal skins, and codeine syrup.
The Apapa Customs controller further explained that the seizures comprised 10 containers of unregistered pharmaceuticals, two containers of codeine syrup, two containers of stolen vehicles, and four containers of second-hand clothing, among other items.
He said, “These 27 container seizures are a fallout of our efforts to prevent Nigerians from unwholesome foods and drugs, stop illicit trade, and protect our local industries.
“We will never compromise the health, well-being, or safety of Nigerians on the altar of trade facilitation. Every consignment passing through our port undergoes diligent checks through scanning and physical examination when required.”
He emphasised that unregistered pharmaceuticals were the most prominent items among the 28 seizures made by the command during the period under review.
The seizures also included controlled drugs, used clothes, codeine syrup, wild animal skins, and other sundry items.
Mr Olomu highlighted that trafficking in wild animals contravenes the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He also noted the detention of a container of matches imported without the required End User Certificate (EUC), as stipulated by extant laws.
On trade facilitation, Mr Olomu disclosed that the command generated N1.37 billion between January and June as revenue for the Federal Government.
He urged all officers of the command to redouble their efforts to surpass the command’s target for 2025.
Mr Olomu acknowledged the support of sister agencies in intelligence sharing and joint consultations aimed at national security.
He attributed the command’s success to the comptroller-general’s directives, which emphasise maximum collection of government revenue by preventing leakages and applying demand notices (DN) when necessary.
Speaking at the conference, Buba Wakawa, the strategic commander of narcotics, Apapa command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), explained that importers of fake pharmaceuticals and other illicit drugs often use fake companies and addresses.
“Most of the drugs being imported are brought in the name of fake companies.
“We have some cases we are prosecuting at the Federal High Court, and we have to use their NIN to trace the perpetrators. However, if you use the bill of lading, it won’t lead anywhere,” he said.

Customs
Olakunle Olaniyan, director of ports inspectorate for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), condemned the smuggling of pharmaceutical products, labeling smugglers as “economy saboteurs.”
Mr Olaniyan stressed that medicines are meant for the sick, not for facilitating criminal activities in society.
He commended customs for the continuous interception of illicit substances and urged everyone to collaborate in the fight, advising the public to be vigilant.
Abdul Fatai Babajide, a freight forwarder with over 24 years of experience, commended customs for the robust synergy with stakeholders.
Mr Babajide encouraged stakeholders to continue discussions on “B’odogwu” to address challenges encountered while logging out from the newly introduced operational platform for cargo processing.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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