The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said that it has filed a motion seeking to set aside the judgment delivered on 13th May, 2020 by the Federal High Court, Abuja which declared payment of import duty on personal effects contained in passengers’ baggage as unlawful.
It would be recalled that Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had in a judgment delivered on May 13, 2020, held that goods in a passengers’ baggage (provided that the said goods are not intended for sale, barter or exchange) as well as personal and household effects are exempt from import duty under Section 8 of the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc (Consolidation) Act and the 2nd Schedule to the Customs, Excise Tariff, etc (Consolidation) Act.
The judgment was on a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1113/2019 filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju against the NCS.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said that the NCS was not given fair hearing before the judgement was delivered.
While positing that there was misapplication of laws to arrive at the said judgement, Attah maintained that the judgement was a nullity among others.
“The Service is by this seeking for the case to be heard on its merit and opportunity for all parties to adequately address the honorable Court.
“While urging the general public to await the outcome of the case, the Service wishes to assure Nigerians of its readiness to comply with the outcome of the judicial process”, he said.
Photo: Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, DC Joseph Attah.
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