Abdulrahman Adam, a 41-year-old businessman, was sentenced to three years in prison by a Federal High Court in Kano for faking Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) paperwork and diverting a container carrying products valued at millions of naira in order to avoid paying taxes.  

Adam, who lives in Kano's Gwammaja neighborhood, was charged with one count of diversion and forgery by Customs, which is against Section 228(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.  

When the charge was read to the defendant in court, he entered a guilty plea.  Judge Musa Shua'ibu found him guilty and sentenced him to three years in prison with the possibility of a N3 million fine.

The court emphasized that Adam's activities compromised government revenue and the integrity of the Customs clearance system, noting that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.  

Following the ruling, Smart Akande, the Nigeria Customs Service's Director of Legal Services, stated that Adam's acts deprived the federal government of rightful customs duties.  

He called the decision a "landmark judgment" and cautioned anyone engaging in container diversion and Customs document fraud.

Source