CARGO PILFERAGE: NSC RESOLVED DISPUTE INVOLVING LEKKI FREEPORT TERMINAL AND COMART INTER BIZ LIMITED

Monday 25, May, 2026. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has successfully resolved a dispute between Comart Inter Biz Ltd (the Consignee) and Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT) regarding an alleged unauthorized Seal Breach and Cargo Discrepancy on a 1X20ft Container (No. CMAU2635290). The mediation table was chaired by Dr. Bashir Ambi Mohammed, Head, Complaints Unit at the NSC, who welcomed all Stakeholders to the meeting. Mrs. Sonia Akinbode, the designated case handler, provided the initial operational briefing to open the proceedings.

Mr. Nonso, representing Comart Inter Biz Ltd, stated that an unauthorized Seal Breach occurred within the terminal following Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) physical examination on February 23, 2026. The incident was immediately reported to both the Customs Police and LFT management on the same day. According to the complainant:

• The Customs Police initially proposed a review of the terminal’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, but were informed the specific Camera angle was obscured. The subsequent preliminary investigation faced a nine-day delay.
• Due to escalating storage charges and terminal demurrage, the importer felt compelled to gate-out and take delivery of the Container on March 4, 2026, before a Joint Cargo Survey could be finalized.
• The Container arrived at the importer’s private Warehouse on March 5, 2026. Upon destuffing (unloading) the Container, two cartons containing a total of 100 power banks were found to be missing. The complainant valued the short-landed cargo at ₦1.750 million.
• Formal Correspondence: Comart Inter Biz Ltd issued a formal demand letter regarding the broken seal on March 6, 2026, which was acknowledged by LFT on March 20, 2026. A formal response from LFT’s representative, Mr. David Nwoye, was issued on March 26, 2026.

Responding on behalf of Lekki Freeport Terminal, Mr. David Nwoye acknowledged the complaint but highlighted key deviations from Maritime Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

• Absence of Joint Cargo Survey: Mr. Nwoye emphasized that LFT was not formally invited to conduct a Joint Cargo Survey at the terminal to verify the alleged shortage or seal tampering prior to the Container exiting the gates. Standard port protocols dictate a mandatory 72-hour notice to arrange an official joint inspection, depending on the Container’s Yard location.
• Technical Infrastructure: Addressing the Camera malfunction, the LFT representative clarified that while the entire port facility is heavily fortified with modern surveillance, the specific Camera covering that particular examination bay suffered a temporary technical glitch. He confirmed the unit has since been fully repaired and optimized.

Following a detailed review of the shipping documents, gate passes, and terminal logs, the meeting reached the following official resolutions that:

1. The NSC affirms that 1X20FT Container CMAU2635290, containing a total manifestation of 1,243 units of Power Banks, was successfully received into the custody of Lekki Freeport Terminal.
2. The meeting notes that the Consignee unilaterally transferred the Container to a private Warehouse and unsealed/opened the box without the regulatory presence of LFT representatives, Nigeria Customs, or the NSC.
3. The meeting records that while the incident occurred on February 23, 2026, the terminal did not receive the formal, written claim until March 20, 2026.
4. LFT is verified to have responded promptly on March 26, 2026, within six days of receiving the formal notification.
5. The NSC directs LFT to fully fortify all Cargo examination bays with motion-activated, high-definition CCTV Cameras to ensure absolute Cargo safety and transparent tracking.
6. Importers are strictly advised never to take delivery of a compromised Container. In future occurrences, Cargo must remain within the terminal until a formal dispute is lodged with the relevant authorities.
7. The NSC cannot investigate the presence of a “double seal” or secondary padlocks, as Clearing Agents and Consignees routinely add personal security padlocks post-Customs inspection.
8. The Council urges all industry Stakeholders Freight Forwarders and Cargo owners to formalize and document all complaints instantly to protect their liability.
9. The NSC encourages Comart Inter Biz Ltd to maintain its trade relationship with Lekki Freeport Terminal, fostering a collaborative business environment.

To safegucarg Cargo claims and insurance liability, Consignees must never gate-out a Container with a suspect or Broken Seal without an official, multi-party Joint Cargo Survey signed off inside the terminal boundaries.