Customs commence enforcement of penalties against designated banks for delayed revenue remittance
Omeiza Bilal
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it is commencing enforcement actions against banks found to be in default of agreed remittance timelines.
National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, said the action is in line with the provisions of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) executed between the Nigeria Customs Service and Designated Banks.
He said: “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has noted instances of delayed remittance of Customs revenue by some Designated Banks following reconciliation of collections processed through the B’odogwu platform. Such delays constitute a breach of remittance obligations and negatively impact the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of government revenue administration.
“Accordingly, any Designated Bank that fails to remit collected Customs revenue within the prescribed period shall be liable to penalty interest calculated at three percent (3%) above the prevailing Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) for the duration of the delay. Affected banks will receive formal notifications indicating the delayed amount, applicable penalty, and the timeline for settlement.
“The Service further notes that persistent or repeated non-compliance with the terms of the SLA may attract additional sanctions, including regulatory and administrative measures, as provided under the Agreement and relevant laws guiding Customs revenue collection.
“The NCS reiterates that prompt, accurate, and complete remittance of Customs revenue is a fundamental obligation of Designated Banks. Any payment of collected revenue into unauthorised accounts, whether deliberate or erroneous, will be treated as a serious violation and addressed in accordance with the SLA and applicable legal frameworks.”
The Service advised designated banks to strengthen internal controls, ensure strict adherence to remittance timelines, and comply fully with the provisions of the SLA.
“The Service remains committed to enforcing accountability, safeguarding government revenue, and promoting a transparent and predictable financial system in support of national economic development,” he added.
