Comptroller H.K Ejibunu hands over the affairs of the Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone “A”, Lagos to his successor and new Area Controller, Comptroller I.K Oladeji having achieved two distinct records to wit under Ejibunu the command recorded the highest number of seizures and DPV since it was established; he also remains the longest serving CAC in the history of FOU Zone A
By Innocent Chukwu
There is no exaggeration to the claim that Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, the immediate past Area Controller of Nigeria Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone “A”, Ikeja, Lagos has left very big shoes subsequent Area Controllers of the Command may not find easy to match or fit in, at least, in the nearest future. His admirers insist that Comptroller Ejibunu “came, saw and conquered” as a result of his intimidating performance record while he superintended over the affairs of the command.
Comptroller Ejibunu was appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the FOU Zone A in September 2010 on acting basis because at the time, he was wearing the rank of a Deputy Comptroller (DC) of Customs. Early this year, he was elevated, alongside others, to the rank of a Comptroller. He was found worthy by the Col. Hameed Ali (rtd)-led Customs management at the time given what the management saw as his sterling performance while he headed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Team of the disbanded Customs Strike Force.
His coming to the FOU Zone A was a mere providence as Ejibunu would always stress that he never lobbied for any posting. Many never believed he could take the fortunes of the FOU Zone A to such a lofty height they have attained by the time he left the office on Friday, April 19, 2024. This was because his immediate predecessor had equally left some big shoes behind.
Thus, on the day of his departure from the command as CAC, he had reeled out his performance record which stunned the doubting Thomases. According to Comptroller Ejibunu, “From the 10th September 2021 till date, a total of 3,189 seizures were recorded with a Duty Paid value (DPV) of Thirty-five billion, nine hundred and eight million, three hundred and thirty – one thousand, four hundred and twelve naira only (N35,908,33,412) and a total of 386 suspects arrested in connection with some of the seizures”. Twenty-two persons, Ejibunu added, were convicted for committing various customs offenses.
A glance at the seizure records from September 2010 to the date of handover reveals prominent ones that made Comptroller Ejibunu the greatest CAC ever to head the Command. These include, 222,285 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each. Ejibunu said the quantity is an equivalent of 370 trailer loads, there was seizure of 1,140,864 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) within the two years and six months he superintended over the affairs of the command, as well as 16,432.30kg of Indian hemp.
Others were, 26,303 pieces of used pneumatic tyres, 11,175 bales of used clothes, 751 live cartridges of 70mm, 12,912 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 5033 pieces of donkey skin and 450 drums of carbide of 106kg each. Yet, there were other seizures of 233 cartons of 225mg of tramadol tablets, 7,640 cartons of expired and unapproved drugs, 303 units of foreign used vehicles and 104 units of Haojue motorcycles. These were all record breaking seizures.
Comptroller Ejibunu’s success principles lie in his calmness, listening ability, open door policy, media friendliness, loyalty and seriousness in business. According to officers, he could lavish praises on performing officers, but dislikes indolence of any kind. Hence, his tenure witnessed less casualties and confrontations during anti-smuggling operations.
Speaking on the day of handing over and taking over between him and the new Area Controller, Comptroller I.K Oladeji, Ejibunu said other successes the command recorded under his watch included, “Improved suppression of smuggling by making more seizures, and the arrest of suspects which served as a deterrent to intending smugglers, increased revenue recovery through meticulous documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices (DN) on goods found to have underpaid, enhanced trade facilitation by providing escorts for goods on fast track for compliant traders.” Within the reviewed period, the Command was able to collect a revenue totaling N2,256,549,232.48.
Comptroler Ejibunu would not forget to show candid appreciation and gratitude to personalities and groups that helped him to succeed in managing the affairs of the FOU Zone A. they include the current management team of the Nigeria Customs Service under Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller General, the Onipokia of Ipokia Kingdom, Ogun State, Oba Yisa Sola Adeniyi Adelakun Olaniyan (JP), the Alake of Egba Land, Ogun State, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III among others.
To his successor, Comptroller Oladeji, Ejibunu warmly welcomed him to the command, and charged him to work with courage because of the terrain he is in. He also advised him to work closely with the media in order to avoid media issues that can tarnish the image of the command. But he also acknowledged that Oladeji “Is one of the finest investigators in Nigeria Customs of today”.
In his taking over speech, Comptroller Oladeji said, “It is a great opportunity for me to be with you and present myself as the new Area Controller. I am taking over from my brother and squadmate. Seventy percent of officers here have worked with me. I promise to be fair in discharging my responsibilities. I’ll run an open-door policy, and for anti-smuggling, revenue generation and facilitation of genuine trade, we must pursue them”.
