Benin: custom officers seize petroleum tank; demands N500,000 bribe from owner
The Managing Director/CEO of Sykes Energi projects Ltd, Olorogun Johnny Esike has expressed his displeasure over the activities of men of the Customs Service particularly those stationed at Ekiadolor and Oluku end in Benin, Edo state who prey on his organization.
Esike who owns one of the biggest gas plant at Ughelli, Delta State, stated that he imported a gas tank and the duties were fully paid and was cleared at the Tincan Port, on 13th March, 2017.
He added that he was shocked when his manager called him to say that the tank which was been transported to Delta was impounded at Ekiadolor by customs, for alleged undervaluation.
According to him’ “ we demanded know why the tank was seized, they told us that the tank was undervalued at Lagos, they are now demanding N500,000 as bribe to release it to us.
“I refuse to part with that kind of money, and they have been holding the goods since last week, the actions of Customs are discouraging genuine business men from coming back home to invest, and if the Buhari-leg government wants to grow the economy, it must check the activities of customs. He added.
When approached to get their reaction, customs officials at Ekiadolor who spoke to us but refuse to mention his name denied the allegation insisting that they never demanded for payment N500,000(Five Hundred Thousand Naira)before the tank would be allowed to continue its journey.
According to him, “It’s a complete lie. How can a tank which has been duly cleared at the port and all duties paid for as you claim become a subject of argument here (in Ekiadolor) to the extent that N500,000 bribe is been demanded.
