The disclosure was made on Friday by Olusola Alade, the Customs Area Controller, who announced that items seized by the Ogun Area Command II included a van with registration number FKJ 993 BZ, owned by Bankers Warehouse Ltd, and money belonging to the Abeokuta branch of Access Bank…CONTINUE READING

The impounding occurred in April 2022 along Sokoto-Ijoun/Joga road, Abeokuta axis, by operatives of the Joint Border Patrol team.

Alade further conveyed that following an investigation and recommendation, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ordered the compassionate release of the bullion van and money to both Bankers Warehouse and Access Bank.

The interception on April 22, 2022, involved a bullion van carrying foreign parboiled rice and N24,489,500.00, concealed in 12 bags of 50kg each.

The vehicle and items were taken to Customs House, Abeokuta, and the money was deposited at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abeokuta branch.

The detained vehicle was subjected to examination, resulting in the conversion of the rice to seizure under Section 168 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

Three suspects were arrested, granted administrative bail, and subsequently charged to court for aiding smuggling.

Bankers Warehouse Ltd and Access Bank sought the release of the van and money through an appeal letter to the Comptroller General of Customs, which was approved based on the findings and recommendations of the Nigeria Customs Service Investigation Unit, adhering to the provisions of Section 248 (1) and (2) of NCS Act, 2023.