ANLCA CRISIS: Police commissioner intervenes

Tayo Oladipupo

The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi has intervened in the lingering internal

debacles tearing the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) apart.

According to a statement made available by the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Joe Sanni, the police boss has called for a meeting among the warring parties.

Sanni stated that the warring parties were asked to adhere strictly to court directives even as they were advised to resolve the issues plaguing the association amicably to return the association to its former state of harmony.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos state – Edgal Imohimi directed that a meeting of all parties be called, for an amicable resolution of the crisis plaguing the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) – 11/1/2019 at the Area Commander’s office, along 2nd Avenue, Festac Town.

“All parties were in attendance.

“After stating all issues that led to the crisis by parties (National Secretary- Alhaji Mukaila Abdulazeez for NECOM & Secretary of the BOT – Prince Taiye Oyeniyi for others), the newly posted Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zone E, ACP Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed, with the DPO, Festac Division- CSP. Barr. Obong John Okon and the Deputy Area Commander- CSP. Mrs Tijani demanded a strict compliance to all the court orders and advised parties to go and resolve matters, as a once united body, which contributes immensely to the economy of the Nation.

“He added that the Police will not tolerate any breakdown of Law and order, or endangering the lives and properties of members or the public.

“According to him, no matter how entrenched we all are in the crisis, we must still come back to the negotiating table to settle issues.

“Arising from this well considered advice, suggestions were made. Agreements were almost reached when the National Vice President – Dr Kayode Farinto requested for time to consider the setting up of a reconciliation committee. This was after the National Secretary- Alhaji Mukaila Abdulazeez requested the other party to first and foremost withdraw all cases for a consideration of a reconciliation committee. This was immediately objected to by the opposing party, which felt so humiliated by certain actions/inactions against them by NECOM.

“At this point, the Chairman BOT- Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha sauntered into the meeting. He was welcomed with a standing recognition and applause.

“When prompted to speak, he said that the genesis of the crisis arose from just the two of them – he and “one other”. While he said this, he went towards the National Secretary and holding the hand of the National Vice President, explaining that the issue at stake – that is the resolution of the BOT crisis – must be dealt with first and foremost, before other issues will come in to play. That both of them (Mukaila & Kayode) acting as the other party were his brothers.

“Embracing them, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha said we have to do everything possible, to rescue this great ANLCA together.

“Emotions immediately took over the venue of the meeting, with embraced officers fighting back tears in the eyes, to the discomfort of the other parties.

“Importantly, in the course of the meeting, the National Secretary pledged that NECOM will obey the court orders. It was at that juncture too, it was learnt, that Barr Onyimba Enekwechi posted that as an officer of the law, he is bound to obey the court orders and therefore, he has ceased any preparations for any elections in the Western Zone Chapters forthwith, pending the determination of matters before the law Courts.

“Much as the reconciliatory move by the Chairman BOT was totally unacceptable to the offended party, it was however agreed that there is a need for a concerted effort to arrest the seemingly unabating ANLCA crisis.

“While one of the parties went away jubilant that they were being begged (apparently misinterpreting the move by the BOT Chairman) to soft pedal, truth of the matter is that they have inadvertently declared that they were not ready for reconciliation,” he said.