The Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone “B”, Kaduna, Mr Chedi Wada, has disclosed that some criminal elements have been using fake presidential number plates to smuggle vehicles across Nigeria.
Disclosing this when he received Bashir Rabe-Mani, NAN Zonal Manager (ZM) in Kaduna Zonal Office, Wada said the smugglers have also been dubiously using such fake number plates belonging to various states and local governments, MDAs, Emirate Councils and other governmental institutions.
He said, ”Customs will not relent and will continue to do its best by not allowing smugglers to use the old tactics of using the presidential number plates and other governmental institutions to smuggle luxurious vehicles into the country.
”This is one of the menaces we are having. It is saddening how vehicle smugglers are ridiculing the apex seat in the country by using presidential fake plate numbers using them on newly smuggled cars to deceive customs.”
According to him, customs are well trained personnel and can easily identify fake numbers and cannot be played by the old tricks.
The comptroller said, “We are not happy with them, it is too bad for them to be playing with the presidency, that’s why we always put a heavy hammer on those using the presidency on false instances on smuggled vehicles.
“Let them respect the presidency, we must respect the presidency.”
Meanwhile, a Magistrate’s Court in Jos on Thursday sentenced a 25-year-old businessman, Victor Danladi, to six months in prison for stealing a water pump unit.
Mr Shawomi Bokkos, the trial judge, sentenced Danladi summarily after he pleaded guilty to the crime.
The court, on the other hand, provided the convict the option of paying a N20,000 fine.
He also ordered him to pay the complainant N150,000 in compensation or face six months in jail.
The court reasoned that the punishment would dissuade future perpetrators.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the matter was reported on Nov. 16 at the Area Command Police Station Jos by the complainant, Muktari Umar.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant went to the complainant’s farm and took a water machine worth N120,000 and vegetables worth N30,000.
He said the offence is punishable under the Plateau State Penal Code Law.