Nigeria Customs defends officers after returnee alleges N1m extortion at Lagos airport.
Agency says payment followed due process but third-party account raises serious concerns.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegations of extortion made by a Nigerian returnee, Oke Adhekegba, who claimed that Customs officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos forced him to pay N1 million under questionable circumstances. The Service insists the payment was a legitimate customs duty for dutiable goods in the returnee’s possession, not a bribe.
According to reports, Adhekegba had arrived in Lagos on Friday, May 16, 2025, via British Airways Flight BA-75 from London. Upon arrival at the old terminal’s Arrival Hall D, he was reportedly approached by two Customs officials identified as Chief Superintendent of Customs, K.O. Adebayo, and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, C.C. Ugboma.
The officers claimed that the items in Adhekegba’s luggage required customs clearance and asked him to pay duty. However, the returnee alleged that the situation escalated when the officers initially demanded N5 million. After several hours of delay and back-and-forth, they agreed to accept N1 million. Adhekegba stated that instead of being given a government account to make the payment, he was instructed to pay into a private PalmPay account linked to a woman, whom he described as a PoS operator and likely an accomplice of the officers.
Speaking to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Adhekegba expressed shock over the manner in which the officers handled the situation. “I had thought they would provide a government account number, but no, it was a female PoS merchant they brought. The merchant, whom I am convinced is their accomplice, provided her PalmPay account number with the name Shaaibu Rabiu,” he said.
FIJ further reported that the victim was kept waiting at the airport until around 9 pm, frustrated and under pressure to make the payment before being allowed to leave.
In reaction to the allegations, the spokesperson for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Customs Command, Usman Abdu, released a statement clarifying the agency’s position. He explained that the items in question 22 bottles of perfume, 15 pairs of footwear, 12 bags, and several pieces of new clothing were valued at $1,948.15. Using the prevailing exchange rate of N1,598.22, the goods were worth approximately N3,113,574.
Abdu maintained that based on provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, appropriate import duties and associated charges such as Import Duty, ECOWAS Levy, Value Added Tax (VAT), and other standard fees were calculated, amounting to N1,000,004. According to him, the payment was duly assessed and remitted to the Federal Government’s account.
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has been drawn to a media report concerning an incident involving a passenger during customs clearance procedures. Preliminary findings show that the amount paid was the correct duty for the items carried,” Abdu said.
He added that official records and receipts exist to back the transaction and denied any wrongdoing on the part of the officers involved.
While the Customs Service stands by its explanation, the incident has raised fresh concerns about transparency and the conduct of officials at Nigeria’s international airports, especially when it involves interactions with returning citizens. The alleged use of a third-party account for payment continues to generate questions from the public and watchdog organizations.
As the story develops, it remains to be seen whether further investigations will be conducted or disciplinary measures taken against the officers involved.
