NCS Refutes Alleged Fraud In E-Auction Of Overtime, Seized Goods

NCS Refutes Alleged Fraud In E-Auction Of Overtime, Seized Goods

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has refuted allegations of sleaze in the administration of electronic auctions of overtime and seized goods, saying it received a report titled The Monumental Stealing By The Customs Auction Committee And Plans To Dispose-Off Overtime Containers with great concern.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of NCS, the management lamented that it was disheartening to note the serious allegations regarding the integrity of the ongoing e-auction process designed to provide a level playing field for all Nigerians and stakeholders.
“The NCS is a law-abiding government organization dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of accountability and transparency in all its activities and taking any accusations of improper behavior seriously.
“We wish to categorically deny involvement in fraudulent activities or underhand dealings in the e-auctioning of vehicles or other goods. The NCS Auction Committee operates within the confines of the law and adheres strictly to established guidelines and procedures for disposing of seized and overtime goods,” the statement reads.
It further clarified that regarding the allegation that over 300 vehicles have been auctioned to a single individual through the e-auction window after purported underhand payments, describing the allegation as “entirely false, misguided and spurious,”  “Furthermore, suggesting that the sum of N10,000 is collected as duties to the Federal Government on the e-auction window, which has a reserved price of N400, 000, is indeed misleading and a misrepresentation of fact.
“From the data generated upon completing five successful bidding windows, 13,605 applicants registered in five windows on our e-auction portal, where 476 vehicles were uploaded and 462 were won. Also, the government realized N556.7 million as revenue, and as such, it begs the question of where the allegations are emanating from.
“We wish to reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in all our activities. We urge members of the public to join the service with the common goal of promoting an inclusive system that is fair to all Nigerians, irrespective of their status,” it added