N500M JUDGMENT: GADZAMA LEADS CUSTOMS APPEAL TEAM

 Following the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, in a case brought by the Registered Trustees of Auto-Mobile Dealers Friends Association against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The service has put together a strong legal team to appeal the decision of the Court.

It will be recalls that the court sitting in Lagos had on December 27, 2023 delivered a judgment in favour of the Registered Trustees of Auto-Mobile Friends Association against the NCS in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/665/ 2021.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Nigeria Customs Service has now brought an Appeal No. CA/L/LAG/CV/280/2024 against the judgment of the trial court.

According to court papers the Nigeria Customs Service strongly believes that it is statutorily empowered to, upon reasonable suspicion, search for, seize or remove anything liable to forfeiture under the Customs Act.

It has urged the appellate court to consider the powers of the Nigeria Customs Service under its enabling law vis-a-vis other legal issues that have been submitted for consideration and determination by the Court of Appeal.

The Federal Government agency also filed a motion praying the Court of Appeal to grant an order staying execution of the judgment as well as an injunction restraining the automobile dealers from taking any step that is capable of rendering nugatory the decision of the appellate court in the event the appeal succeeds.

It is in view of the above that the Customs Service hired the services of fiery senior lawyer, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN to lead its legal team for the impending legal fireworks.

Analysts believe that the appeal court’s decision on the matter will enrich Nigeria’s legal jurisprudence and impact the national economy.