My people, make I tell you wetin just happen for Federal High Court wey dey Abuja. Dem don order make dem seize one big plane wey dem dey call Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000. E get registration mark 9H-GVG, and e no be small matter o!
This aircraft belonged to Orlean Invest Africa Limited, and dem no fit show any reason why dem no go pay their custom duty for Nigeria. Na serious wah for dem as the court don conclude say, ‘na final seizure, condemnation and forfeiture!’ The judgement wey Justice James Omotosho deliver for January 22, 2026, na for suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1085/2025, wey Nigeria Customs Service carry come court against dem.
So, wetin cause all this gbege be say, during one audit wey Nigeria Customs Service carry out for 2024, dem discover say plenty private aircraft dey operate for the country without paying proper duties. Orlean Invest Africa Limited dey owe ₦1,044,493,295.54 as customs duty, and dis one no be small money o! Dem don warn dem before, but dem still no comply.
According to the court ruling, e clear say the company carry jet enter Nigeria for October 25, 2015 as private aircraft. But instead of to pay the import duty or obtain Temporary Import Permit, dem just carry the plane dey fly up and down for Nigeria like say dem no dey owe anybody. Na serious breach of law, wey fit land dem serious wahala.
Justice Omotosho talk say the penalty for dem negligence na seizure and forfeiture under Section 246(a) of the Nigeria Customs Act. E talk say, “Dem no show any proof say dem don pay customs duty at all, and as dem dey hide under foreign ownership to run the aircraft, na serious attempt to cheat the government.” Na for court, dem need to show anyhow say dem don pay instead of to dey give flimsy excuses.
As e be, the court don chastise dem wella for trying to operate the aircraft without following due process, and dem don decree that the plane go belong to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Na wetin dem carry for court, and as e stand so, dem go feature this plane for any airport wey dem like, until further notice. Dem don turn am to government property!
Mr. Okon Efut wey represent Nigeria Customs Service talk say e dey happy with the judgement, say e don set new record for judiciary wey dey show say laws go apply for everybody, no matter dem level. Dis case don shake table for Nigeria aviation sector, and e dey important make everybody know say nobody dey above law.
The matter don show say compliance with customs laws no be play matter o. Court don talk say dem need to follow clear rules wey dey exist, and all aircraft wey dey enter Naija must follow due process, else dem go face serious consequence. Best make you dey pay your dues, no be so?
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
