The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegations of extortion leveled against its officers by a U.S.-based Nigerian returnee, Oke Adhekegba. The command has, however, launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdul, confirmed that the Comptroller in charge, Effiong Harrison, had ordered a thorough probe to establish the facts surrounding the case, though his denial did not explain why it was a private Point of Sales (PoS) operator that collected revenue on behalf of Federal Government.
Allegation of Theft and Extortion
According to multiple media reports, Adhekegba, who arrived at the Lagos airport on May 16 aboard British Airways Flight BA-75 from London, accused two Customs officers of extorting ₦1 million from him under the pretext of clearing his luggage.
Adhekegba claimed that the officers—identified only by their first names, Adebayo and Ugboma—initially demanded ₦5 million for customs clearance, citing the contents of his five suitcases which included shoes, clothing, and gifts for family members. After allegedly harassing and intimidating him for hours, they finally coerced him into paying ₦1 million.
“They brought a female PoS merchant who provided her PalmPay account—9551197XXX, under the name Shaaibu Rabiu. I was too tired and frustrated after a 17-hour flight from Houston to argue,” Adhekegba said. “They claimed my bag was worth $5,000, but the price tag was still on it—$106. They robbed me and still had the audacity to ask for sandals I bought for my daughter.”
He added that such extortion at MMIA was reportedly a common occurrence and demanded that authorities take urgent action.
Customs Responds with Contrasting Account
In response, Comptroller Harrison provided a breakdown of the items in Adhekegba’s luggage, which he said included 15 pairs of footwear, 22 bottles of perfume, 12 bags, and various new clothing items. Customs officials assessed the goods at $1,948.15, or ₦3,113,574 at the prevailing exchange rate of ₦1,598.22.
According to the Command, applicable duties and levies under the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023 amounted to ₦1,000,004, which has since been remitted to the Federal Government. A receipt confirming the payment was attached to the official statement.
Harrison confirmed that the officers involved in the baggage examination were Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) K.O. Adebayo and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) C.C. Ugboma. He emphasized that the MMIA Command maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance on corruption, extortion, and any breach of official procedures.
Broader Concerns Over Airport Corruption
This incident has reignited public concern over widespread misconduct at Nigeria’s airports. In December, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, admitted that some aviation security chiefs were receiving kickbacks from extortion activities perpetrated by their subordinates.
Kuku disclosed that some officers had justified these practices by claiming they had no pension, adding, “This has to stop. The airport is not a place to come and make money. If your agency is found wanting, your leadership has failed—and that means I have failed too.”
A recent report by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) also identified the Nigeria Customs Service as one of the most inefficient federal agencies, citing rampant rent-seeking and lack of disciplinary measures at key entry points, including MMIA.
Next Steps
Despite the conflicting accounts, the NCS says it remains open to scrutiny and committed to upholding professionalism and transparency. Comptroller Harrison reaffirmed that the command will enforce the provisions of the NCSA 2023 against any personnel or passenger found in breach of the law.
The command assured the public that it would facilitate legitimate travel and trade while ensuring that misconduct is thoroughly investigated and appropriately sanctioned.
