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General News of Thursday, 14 May 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Nigerian Customs ordered to pay N5 million for seizing man's bag

Nigerian Customs Service Nigerian Customs Service

A court has ordered the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to pay the sum of N5 million to one Kehinde Ogunwunmiju after they seized his laptop bag and made him pay customs duty on it.

Ogunwunmiju challenged the NCS in court with claims that the bag was for his personal use and not for commercial purpose.

The NCS have now been ordered to pay N5 million in damages and also to refund the N150,000 customs duty he paid for the bag.

This was shared by Busola Idowu who wrote: "The Nigerian Customs Service lost a case in court today and its a very interesting one. Hope the judgement sails through on appeal. (Kehinde Ogunwunmiju v NCS). While searching the claimant's bag on arrival in Nigeria, customs staff saw a brand new Louis Vuitton laptop bag and claimed customs duties to the tune of over 150k.

"He was dissatisfied and challenged them in court. The court held that the plaintiff had proved that the laptop bag was his personal effect and for his personal use and that before the NCS could charge customs duty on the said bag, they had to prove it was intended for commercial use.

"NCS was ordered to refund his over 150k paid as customs duties &to pay 5 million Naira in damages. All those high-handed customs officials that harass travellers over personal items found in their bags should please take note".