Cheap blackmail won’t stop our quest for crime-free, safer Port environment, Maritime Police Command vows

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Marine Police, under the supervision of Maritime Police Command, displaying some of their gunboats.

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*Says ‘We are committed to Ease of Doing Business Policy’

*Reveals criminals hiding under EODB to undermine national security 

*Assures law abiding customs clearing agents of cooperation

*Urges them to eschew sharp practices

*Report any officer engaging in corrupt acts to us – MPC

 

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The Nigeria’s Maritime Police Command (MPC) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the successful implementation of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s Ease of Doing Business Policy (EODB), as championed by the Office of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The Command stated this in a rejoinder, issued by its Acting Public Relations Officer (Ag. PPRO) DSP Olalekan Faniyi on behalf of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Charge, to an article published by Sun Newspaper on Sunday November 11, 2018 page 14 credited to a Lagos legal practitioner, Charles G. Osuegwu, titled, “VP, IGP, please police hinder ease of doing business policy at Lagos ports”.  It said, towards ensuring compliance with the policy, it had “written letters to various Police Formations and Commands warning them against incessant interference in maritime activities and cases, the letter further directed that they should channel their information and intels concerning any sharp practices by importers and clearing agents to the MPC’s Investigation Department, this step had really improved the EODB,” the statement said.

The MPC however noted that some criminals and their accomplice hide under the EODB to sabotage the economy and also to undermine the security of the country to import contraband items, and also to shortchange the Federal Government by under-declaring goods.

Assuring the public and stakeholders that the Maritime Police Command will not succumb to cheap blackmail in its quest for a crime free and safer port environment, the statement said that all cases reported to the MPC will be treated in its merit, the DSP Faniyi said, “The MPC do not and will not stop containers after clearance at Ports except those that are suspected to be carrying contrabands or under declared goods, petitioned, and based on intelligence.

“It should be noted that prevention and detection of crime is part of Police duties and that these containers do not enjoy diplomatic immunity.  The Port environment is not also immune to Police investigation and prosecution.

“However, if there is any report of any officer engaged in corrupt acts, such personnel should be reported to the AIG or through the office of the PPRO for speedy investigation, prosecution and appropriate sanctions to the erring officer,” he said, adding that all well-meaning and law abiding customs clearing agents should go about their lawful businesses, and to eschew all manner of sharp practices.

Read details of the MPC statement as follows:

RE: VP, IGP, PLEASE POLICE HINDER EASE OF DOING BUSINESS POLICY AT LAGOS PORTS: REJOINDER

In response to a piece written by Charles G. Osuegwu, a legal Practitioner, titled “VP, IGP, please Police hinder ease of doing business police at Lagos Ports” on page 14 of the Sunday Sun, 11/11/2018 Edition.  The Command hereby issues a press statement thus:

The Maritime Police Command (MPC) is a branch of the Nigeria Police Force and it coordinates and supervises all security activities in and around the Ports, the maritime environment which include the activities of Marine Police and also the National Inland Waterways Police.

The MPC under the present leadership of AIG Usman Tilli Abubakar is wholly committed to the full implementation of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the Ports, as championed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The Command had written letters to various Police Formations and Commands warning them against incessant interference in maritime activities and cases, the letter further directed that they should channel their information and intels concerning any sharp practices by importers and clearing agents to the MPC’s Investigation Department, this step had really improved the EODB.

It has come to the knowledge of the MPC that some criminals and their accomplice are hiding under the EODB to sabotage the economy and also to undermine the security of the country to import contraband items, and also to short change the Federal Government by under declaring goods.

The MPC do not and will not stop containers after clearance at Ports except those that are suspected to be carrying contraband or under declared goods, petitioned, and based on intelligence.

It should be noted that prevention and detection of crime is part of Police duties and that these containers do not enjoy diplomatic immunity.  The Port environment is not also immune to Police Investigation and prosecution.

Let it be of note that all cases reported to the MPC will be treated in its merit.  Also, the office of the AIG is open to all stakeholders including complainants.  He runs an open-door policy.

However, if there is any report of any officer engaged in corrupt acts, such personnel should be reported to the AIG or through the office of the PPRO for speedy investigation, prosecution and appropriate sanctions to the erring officer.

The MPC is assuring the public and stakeholders through this medium that the Command will not succumb to cheap blackmail in its quest for a crime free and safer port environment.

Finally, we appeal to well-meaning and law abiding customs clearing agents to go about their lawful businesses, and to eschew all manner of sharp practices.

Thanks.

DSP OLALEKAN FANIYI,

Ag. PPRO MARITIME,

FOR: ASSISTANT INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE,

MARITIME POLICE COMMAND,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS ANNEX,

LAGOS.


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