The ongoing issue of private jets operating in Nigeria without paying import duties has now become plagued by legal complications, leading to significant delays in regulatory actions by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). On October 14, 2024, it was reported that the NCS intended to ground more than 60 private jets owned by well-connected individuals over unpaid duties amounting to billions of naira. However, shortly after, the customs agency announced a one-month extension for private jet owners to verify their compliance, pushing the deadline to November 14, 2024. Despite the deadline’s passing, the customs service has remained silent on further developments in this matter.
The NCS’s inability to move forward has been attributed to various court processes interfering with the enforcement of duties owed. Recent inquiries into the situation revealed that investigations into the private jet owners are ongoing, with the NCS’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, stating that offering updates could compromise the court proceedings. Reflecting on earlier litigation, it was noted that owners of foreign-registered private jets, which include prominent business figures and bankers, had previously taken the government to court to prevent the grounding of their aircraft. The exact status of this litigation remains unclear, and it is uncertain if any recent actions were taken in response to the government’s intentions.
With growing public curiosity and concern, attempts to garner more specific updates from the NCS on the court’s influence were met with vague responses from Maiwada. He reiterated that disclosing further information could jeopardize the ongoing court processes. The issue appears to stem from the private jet owners’ legal maneuverings, which are aimed at protecting their interests against government enforced actions. Maiwada stated that he lacks the authority to determine when the public will receive more information on this matter, indicating a complete lack of clarity in the situation.
In the previous NCS announcement regarding the extension of the verification period, Maiwada highlighted the agency’s commitment to enforcing legal compliance within the aviation sector. He urged private aircraft operators to use the extended time wisely to rectify their duties obligations, thereby avoiding potential penalties. This stance emphasizes the NCS’s commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in the industry. By encouraging compliance before the deadline, the NCS is trying to maintain the integrity of the regulations governing air travel in Nigeria.
The private jet ordeal has sparked reactions from industry experts who expressed astonishment that aircraft could fly in Nigeria without appropriate duty payments. Experts like Olumide Ohunayo emphasized that it is difficult to believe that no duties have been paid on these jets, underscoring that such obligations should be a norm during the importation process of aircraft or their parts. Others, such as Group Capt. John Ojikutu, forewarned that the lapses partly rely on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for allowing such violations to occur unchecked, questioning how foreign-registered aircraft could operate domestically without necessary documentation.
Lastly, while some stakeholders emphasized their hesitation to comment directly on ongoing legal disputes for fear of influencing the court’s narrative, they remained firm that all foreign-registered aircraft should adhere to import duty laws. Capt. Rolland Iyayi, the President of Topbrass Airline, indicated that, despite the case being in court, the regulations were clear regarding the registration and duty payments for any foreign-registered aircraft. This consensus from aviation professionals encapsulates a shared bewilderment at the systemic failures leading to these legal entanglements, ultimately calling for a more robust enforcement of regulations governing aviation in Nigeria.
