The Association of Licensed Auctioneers of Nigeria (ALAN) has accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of secretly disposing of seized goods and containers, in violation of auction and financial regulations governing public asset management.
Speaking in Abuja, the President of the Association, Musa Kurra, said the Customs Service has abandoned due process and transparency in the disposal of impounded items, opting instead for what he described as “direct and secret allocations” to politically connected companies and individuals.
Kurra’s claims followed the emergence of leaked Customs documents titled “Direct Auction Allocation of Containers”, allegedly issued between April and July 2025. The letters, bearing the seal of the Nigeria Customs Service Committee on Direct Disposal of General Goods, reportedly approved the allocation of seized 40-foot containers to private firms at auction fees ranging from ₦1 million to ₦2 million per container.
Each of the leaked letters, stamped “Restricted”, granted approvals for the release of containers loaded with luxury vehicles, prefabricated houses, hospital equipment, tiles, construction slabs, and cartons of goods. Some of the allocations were traced to Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, one of the country’s busiest terminals.
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A document dated 31 July 2025 approved the release of four containers loaded with Lexus RX330s, Lexus ES330s, and Toyota Highlanders for a combined fee of ₦2 million. Another letter dated 15 June 2025 authorized the disposal of a container described as a “prefabricated house” at ₦2 million, while others involved cartons of drinks, used hospital equipment, and Versace-branded construction materials.
Beneficiaries were instructed to make full payment within five working days and evacuate the containers within ten days or risk forfeiture. The letters also warned that any resale or transfer to third parties would be at the buyer’s risk, effectively shielding Customs from future disputes.
Kurra condemned the practice as a gross abuse of power and a direct breach of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022, and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act, all of which require transparency and open competition in the disposal of public assets.
“This is a clear case of impunity. The Nigeria Customs Service has turned auctioning into a private business. They are issuing allocation letters and selling seized goods behind closed doors to politically connected individuals. This is against the spirit and letter of the law,” Kurra said.
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He explained that legitimate auctions are to be conducted publicly through licensed auctioneers under the supervision of the BPP, which by law regulates all government procurement and disposal processes.
“The Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) is empowered by the National Assembly to regulate auctions and procurements. What Customs is doing now undermines that authority,” Kurra added.
He also cited the Proceeds of Crime Act, which mandates that seized assets be valued by certified valuers and auctioned openly under official supervision. “Customs has been flouting this law without remorse. What they are doing now, allocating seized goods directly, is not just illegal, it’s criminal,” he said.
According to ALAN, the practice has become entrenched within the Customs hierarchy, with some officers allegedly using front companies to acquire confiscated goods at token prices.
“There was a time the Service allocated 380 vehicles to one company for just ₦3.8 million. Those vehicles included Prados, Hilux trucks, and Mercedes-Benz cars—each sold for as little as ₦10,000. Even a bicycle doesn’t sell for that in today’s market,” Kurra claimed.
He warned that such impunity was denying the Federal Government billions of naira in lost revenue, undermining President Bola Tinubu’s domestic revenue drive.
“The President needs money to run this country. But how can that happen when agencies like Customs are enriching themselves through illegal auctions? The government must step in to stop this abuse,” he said.
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Kurra called for an independent investigation into the Customs Service’s auction practices, urging the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies to intervene immediately.
“If the Federal Government fails to act, we will go to court. The auction process must be transparent, competitive, and lawful. Anything short of that is corruption,” he warned.
The allegations come amid mounting public concern over the opaque disposal of seized assets by government agencies, often linked to insider trading and revenue leakages.
Analysts say the development could trigger a broader investigation into how Nigeria’s revenue-generating agencies handle confiscated assets, with possible implications for Customs leadership and oversight bodies.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
