ANLCA NECOM Risks Contempt Of Court Over Airport Chapter Excos Inauguration

Barely 48- hours the appointment of new executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) ,,Murtala Mohammed Airport Cargo Chapter was constituted by the National Executive Committee (NECOM) on Friday in Lagos , there are signals of resurgence of litigations to that effect.

 

The Executives of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Cargo Chapter of ANLCA, has already commenced infighting within the foremost freight forwarding group against the backdrop of contempt of court charges brought against the Emenike Nwokeoji led NECOM.

Moves to sack the incumbent Executives at the chapter and replace them with new one was a violation of a pending Court case at the Appeal Court, Lagos which has been ongoing between the incumbent Chairman of the Chapter,Prince Bagmibala Adewusi and Alhaji Bola Ashiru Balogun.

It was gathered that the NEC allegedly ignored a letter written by both Adewusi Bagmibala and his lawyers,Newcastle Associates, intimating them of the pending case and warning of any attempt to discuss or take any action, as that will amount to contempt of court.

But in a letter sighted by our reporter dated, 26th April 2024 addressed to the National President of ANLCA by Oluwasegun Ayinde, Esq of Newcastle Associates, lawyers to Bagmibala Adewusi, has warned the ANLCA National body not to engage in anything or likelihood activities/ discussions that may amount to contempt of court.

The letter reads :
CA/LAG/CV/1084/2023
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS AND ANOR Vs MR. BOLA ASHIRU BALOGUN & 3ORS .

“A WARNING LETTER TO THE NATIONAL BODY AGAINST
ENGAGING IN ANY LIKELIHOOD ACTIVITIES/DISCUSSIONS
THAT MAY AMOUNT TO CONTEMPT OF COURT

“We are Solicitors to PRINCE BAMIGBALA A. ADEWUSI, the Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter (ANLCA, MMAC) and THE EXECUTIVES OF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS, MURTALA MUHAMMED AIRPORT CHAPTER (ANLCA, MMAC)
(hereinafter referred to as “our clients”) and on whose behalf and instruction we write.

“It has been brought to our notice that the National Body is proposing to hold a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, wherein discussions
bordering on the matters as related to ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS, MURTALA MUHAMMED AIRPORT
CHAPTER will also be tabled and discussed.

“I am writing to bring to your attention a potential issue concerning a matter
that is currently before a competent court, with Appeal No:CA/LAG/CV/1084/2023:- between; Board of Trustees, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) & ANOR Vs. Mr. Bola
Ashiru Balogun & 3 Ors. It has come to our attention that discussions regarding this matter are being held and also, about to be a subject of discussions at The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting said to be
coming up today, at the National Level, which inadvertently interferes
with the legal proceedings.

“As legal representatives of PRINCE BAMIGBALA A. ADEWUSI, the Chairman of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter (ANLCA, MMAC) and THE EXECUTIVES OF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS, MURTALA MUHAMMED AIRPORT CHAPTER (ANLCA, MMAC), we strongly advise against any further discussions or actions that may jeopardize the integrity of the on-going legal process.

“It is imperative that all parties involved respect the jurisdiction of the court and refrain from discussing or taking any actions that could potentially undermine the legal proceedings.

“We kindly request that the National Body issue a directive to all branches to cease any discussions or actions related to the matter that is currently before the Honourable Court.

“This will ensure that the legal process is allowed to proceed unhindered and that the rights of all parties involved are protected.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust that the National Body will take the necessary steps to address this issue and prevent any
further interference with the legal proceedings.

Kindly be guided accordingly.
Yours faithfully,

For: Newcastle Associates
Oluwasegun Ayinde, Esq.
[PRINCE BAMIGBALA A. ADEWUSI, the Chairman of the Association of
Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter
(ANLCA, MMAC) and THE EXECUTIVES OF ASSOCIATION OF
NIGERIA LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS, MURTALA MUHAMMED
AIRPORT CHAPTER (ANLCA, MMAC)]”.

Also on the same 26th April 2024, a letter signed by Prince Bagmibala Adewusi and Sylvester Osai Iyamu the Chapter Secretary was addressed to the ANLCA National President, informing him of the pending case of the chapter at the Appeal Court in Lagos which comes up on 21st May, 2024.

The letter reads in part:
“Against the backdrop of information reaching us on the issue of dissolution of all Chapters Executives of ANLCA, we wish to remind the National President, and all NECOM Executives of the pending case involving Airport Chairman, NECOM and Board of Trustees and Mr Balogun Bola at the Appeal Court. The said case will be coming up on the 2st May 2024 and the case Reference No: Appeal No: CA/LAG/CV/1084/2023, SUITE NO: FHC/L/CS/758/2022.”

“Secondly, the president and his team are to be reminded also that Airport Chapter Election was conducted on the 15th January, 2022 and tenure expires on the 14th January 2026 and Certificate of Returns duly issued to the Elected Executives by the then sitting National President for ANLCA, Hon. Tony Iju Nwabunike”.

The National President of ANLCA on Friday inaugurated a new set of Executives for its Muritala Muhammed Airport, Cargo (MMAC) Chapter with Mr Temitope Pius Akindele as the new Chairman.

Others are Offodile Chucks -Vice Chairman; Desmond Ehi-Emimoh as General Secretary; Adesola Oladapo- Treasurer; Afolabi Ishau- Financial Secretary; Ajagunna Sharafat as Assistant Secretary and Agubuzor Michael as Public Relations Officer.