NAGAFF Board In Council Slams Freight Forwarding Associations, Backs CRFFN Registrar Amid Crisis

NAGAFF Board In Council Slams Freight Forwarding Associations, Backs CRFFN Registrar Amid Crisis

L-R Founder NAGAFF,Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,H.E Adegboyega Oyetola 

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Board in Council of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has issued a scathing press release rebuking recent actions by four freight forwarding associations—ANLCA, AREFF, NAFFAC, and NCMDLCA—and expressing strong support for the current Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Kingsley Igwe.

In a detailed statement signed by Dr. Clement Iwegbuna, Head of Special Duty at NAGAFF, the association accused the four groups of creating instability and pursuing personal interests disguised as industry reform. The press release follows a July 18, 2024, press conference held by the groups, during which they threw their weight behind a court judgment won by Mr. Lucky Eyis Amiwero, factional President of NCMDLCA, challenging CRFFN’s authority.

The court ruling in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018 held that licensed customs agents are not freight forwarders and declared the collection of Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) by CRFFN as illegal. However, NAGAFF reminded the public that the CRFFN has since appealed the judgment and filed a stay of execution, rendering the ruling unenforceable for now.

NAGAFF also cited Amiwero’s own rebuke of the associations’ support, describing them as “strange bedfellows” and accusing them of opportunism.

“When they slept on their rights and were busy fighting over the sharing formula of the POF, they never saw CRFFN action as illegal… now they’ve latched onto Amiwero’s court judgment in revenge,” Amiwero reportedly said.

NAGAFF characterized the four associations as confused and lacking credibility, citing their historical opposition to the CRFFN Act and alleged past involvement in controversial CRFFN elections.

The group further accused the ANLCA and NCMDLCA of impersonating outdated nomenclature despite the repeal of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), urging them to adopt the “Customs Representatives” designation as stipulated in the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.

NAGAFF called on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola (CON), to urgently deregister the four associations and request that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) withdraw their registrations, citing threats to government revenue and regulatory sabotage.

It also warned of potential investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the financial management of CRFFN since its inception—an issue NAGAFF alleges is causing panic among former Council members seeking reentry.

Despite the turbulence, NAGAFF passed a resounding vote of confidence in Mr. Kingsley Igwe, praising his “quality leadership, innovative ideas, and professional skills” since assuming the role of Registrar less than a year ago.

“NAGAFF alone forms over 80% of freight forwarders in Nigeria,” the association stated, emphasizing its dominance and vowing to continue supporting the CRFFN in executing its statutory mandate.

The press release concluded with an appeal for professionalism among freight forwarders and a reminder that only two laws currently govern the sector—the CRFFN Act No. 16 of 2007 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. NAGAFF warned that any further attempts to destabilize the system could provoke further revelations and legal consequences.

“Let sleeping dogs lie,” the statement warned, “because wise people who live in glass houses avoid throwing stones.”