The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has categorically denied allegations of extortion made by U.S. returnee Oke Adhekegba.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdul, emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway to ascertain the facts surrounding the claim.
According to Comptroller Effiong Harrison, Adhekegba arrived at Lagos aboard British Airways flight BA-75 from London on Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 6:47 p.m., accompanied by 10 pieces of luggage.
The items included 15 pairs of footwear, 22 bottles of perfume, 12 bags, and a substantial quantity of new clothing, collectively valued at ₦3,113,574, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,000,004.
Harrison clarified that the applicable charges—comprising the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) charge, Import Duty, Surcharge (SUR), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Levy, and Value Added Tax (VAT)—were computed in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. These charges have been duly remitted into the Federal Government’s coffers.
The customs examination was conducted by Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) KO Adebayo and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) CC Ugboma.
Harrison reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and integrity, stating that the MMIA Command does not condone unethical behavior or compromise of standard operational procedures by its personnel or members of the traveling public.
The NCS urges the public to report any instances of misconduct or corruption promptly, as such behavior is inconsistent with the core values of the service.
