By Adedapo Adesanya

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has cleared the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of allegations that it failed to remit N62.2 billion into the Federation Account, as contained in the 2019 Audit Report of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The committee reached the decision on Tuesday during an investigative session with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, over 77 audit queries raised against the agency in the 2019 and 2020 audit reports.

The committee, however, resolved to establish an ad hoc reconciliation panel to review the remaining 76 audit queries and report for further consideration.

At the hearing, representatives of the Auditor-General’s office informed lawmakers that while the Customs Service generated more than N691 billion in revenue in 2017, only about N629 billion was remitted to the Federation Account, leaving an outstanding balance of N62.2 billion.

Responding, the Customs CG explained that the amount in question consisted of levies collected on behalf of other government agencies and was therefore not meant for remittance into the Federation Account.

According to him, the figure was wrongly classified as under-remittance in the audit report.

Mr Adeniyi stated that while some levies collected by Customs are paid into the Federation Account, others, including certain levies on local production of wheat, textiles and wines, are designated for separate accounts.

He maintained that the disputed N62.2 billion fell into that category and should not have been recorded as unremitted revenue.

The Customs boss also provided explanations on the second and third audit queries, which members of the committee described as satisfactory.

Some lawmakers questioned why the issues had progressed to a Senate investigation, arguing that they should have been resolved during routine reconciliation between Customs officials and auditors.

In his response, Mr Adeniyi noted that the audit years under review coincided with a period of strained relations between the National Assembly and the Customs Service.

The reconciliation committee is expected to work with Customs officials and auditors to resolve discrepancies in the remaining audit queries before further legislative action is taken.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Some farming inputs have been distributed to farmers drawn from 17 host communities of the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement Plc.

This is part of the organisation’s commitment to food security and sustainable community development, under its annual farmers’ empowerment initiative, which has become a cornerstone of the company’s social investment strategy.

The beneficiaries received modern farming inputs alongside technical training aimed at improving crop yield, productivity, and income across the agricultural value chain.

Business Post gathered that each of the 60 farmers got three bags of 50kg NPK fertiliser, two bags of Urea fertiliser, one Knapsack sprayer and 10 litres of Force-Up herbicide.

Welcoming the guests and beneficiaries, the Plant Director, Mr Ayyagari Subbaraidu, emphasised that the programme was designed not only to support local farmers but to build a sustainable agricultural ecosystem within the company’s host communities.

He noted that the intervention aligns with Dangote Cement’s broader corporate social responsibility priorities, which include empowerment, education, health, and infrastructure development.

Mr Subbaraidu said, “At Dangote Cement, we understand that while we manufacture cement for the construction of homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure, true development is ultimately about people. It is about creating opportunities, improving livelihoods, and enabling communities to thrive. This philosophy remains at the heart of our operations and our relationship with our host communities.”

He disclosed that to date, 300 farmers across our host communities have benefited from training, farm inputs, and agricultural tools, noting that they have cultivated more than 800 acres of farmland and produced over 40,000 tons of agricultural output.

“These figures tell an important story, representing families whose livelihoods have improved, children whose educational needs have been supported, businesses that have grown, and communities that have become more resilient. They demonstrate what can be achieved when communities and corporate organisations work together toward a common goal,” he stated.

“We provide modern farm inputs to support our farmers to enhance productivity and achieve better yields. This is not just about distribution; it is about enabling a shift to more efficient and sustainable farming methods that will ultimately boost food production and livelihoods,” he said.

Mr Subbaraidu revealed that the training component of the programme is critical in ensuring that beneficiaries maximise the value of the inputs provided, as participants were taken through practical sessions on good agricultural practices, including crop protection and pest management techniques, equipping them with knowledge to mitigate farming risks and improve output.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, a representative described the programme as a “game changer” that has not only boosted food production but also strengthened the relationship between the company and its host communities.

One of the farmers, Mr Akanbi Moses from Aga-Olowo Community, noted that the provision of free inputs and training has significantly improved their productivity and income levels, enabling them to scale their farming activities. Another beneficiary highlighted how the training sessions have enhanced their understanding of modern farming techniques, resulting in better crop management and reduced post-harvest losses.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Saturday, June 13, 2026, apprehended four suspected wildlife traffickers in Ogun and Lagos States.

The suspects were arrested with 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84 kg during coordinated operations in Ofada, Ogun State, and Lagos, acting on intelligence developed by Wildlife Justice.

In a statement made available to Business Post on Tuesday, it was stressed that the arrests follow several months of intelligence gathering and investigative work targeting a high-level wildlife trafficking network linked to the illegal ivory trade.

The operation targeted a senior figure within the illegal ivory trade who had been identified through Wildlife Justice intelligence as a key supplier and associate of traffickers arrested in previous investigations. Due to the individual’s long-standing role, extensive connections, and access to significant quantities of ivory, the arrest is expected to have a substantial disruptive impact on the trafficking network.

“Wildlife Justice commends NCS and NESREA for their commitment, and continued leadership in combatting organised wildlife crime,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission.

“Over the past five years, sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated law enforcement action have transformed the wildlife trafficking landscape in Nigeria. Traffickers who once operated with relative impunity are now facing a very different reality. Many have been arrested, forced to relocate, or significantly altered their operating methods in response to enforcement pressure.

“This operation demonstrates the power of strong partnerships, intelligence-led enforcement, and the commitment of the Nigerian authorities to tackling organised wildlife crime. By systematically identifying and targeting key actors within trafficking networks, Nigeria is showing that it is possible to disrupt criminal operations, increase the risks for traffickers, and make wildlife crime an increasingly difficult and unsustainable business.”

The latest arrests further reinforce the structural shift taking place in Nigeria’s wildlife trafficking landscape, where sustained enforcement pressure is impacting the ability of criminal networks to operate and profit from the illegal wildlife trade. As a result, traffickers are increasingly reluctant to maintain large stockpiles and are often forced to move smaller quantities of wildlife products, reducing opportunities for large-scale transactions and making the trade more difficult and less profitable.

The operation marks the 21st successful investigation conducted in partnership with NCS since 2021 and the second successful operation with NESREA since 2025. Together, these partnerships have resulted in the arrest of 48 wildlife traffickers, the seizure of 1,196 kg of ivory and 25,545 kg of pangolin scales, and 16 convictions to date.