Car dealers in Lagos State have alleged that collection of Customs Duties on imported cars by officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is fraught with corruption.

The car dealers made the allegation Thursday while addressing a press conference to call for the immediate opening of their business premises which were ‘illegally’ locked by officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) since September 30.

President of the Lagos State Automobile Dealers and Friends Association, Morgan Onyebuchi, told newsmen that the closure of their business premises has brought untold hardship to members.

He revealed that the present closure makes it the third time that Customs would be sealing off their business premises in 2019 under the guise of looking for smuggled cars.

He denied allegations by the NCS that he and his people are engaged in cars smuggling, saying all members import cars through the port and no car or truck will pass through the ports without customs clearing procedures.

“We have suffered series of harassment and extortion from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). Our businesses have been grounded since September 30 and our members are really suffering.

“Allegations that we are into smuggling of cars are unfounded because our cars are duly cleared by the Nigerian Customs, we pay duties on them. No vehicle can leave the port without being cleared, they sign their release to us,” he said.

In his submissions, Chairman of the Lekki Branch of the Association, Adebayo Adenihun-Shallom, alleged that Customs officers at the port where imported vehicles are cleared were involved in sharp practices and asked government to probe their activities. (New Telegraph)