Efforts to ground about 60 private jets in Nigeria over unpaid import duties have faced setbacks due to ongoing court proceedings.
These jets, allegedly owned by affluent individuals and organizations, have reportedly evaded duties amounting to billions of naira.
Initially, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), planned to commence action on October 14, 2024.
However, the deadline was extended to November 14 to allow owners additional time to comply. Despite the expiration of the extension, no significant enforcement has been reported.
The NCS explained that legal challenges have made it difficult to proceed with the collection of the duties.
Officials stated that revealing further details could interfere with judicial processes. Investigations into the matter remain active, but updates from the government are withheld due to the sensitive nature of the court cases.
This issue traces back to 2022, when some private jet owners sought legal protection against the government’s demands for import duty payments.
While the details of current lawsuits remain unclear, the situation underscores the complexity of enforcing compliance among high-profile individuals and corporations.
As aviation and customs authorities navigate these legal hurdles, industry observers have expressed concerns about the implications of unregulated aircraft operations.
Many argued for stricter enforcement and closer collaboration between regulatory bodies to address the situation effectively.
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