NAGAFF faults Freight Forwarding groups over CRFFN crisis, backs Registrar, Igwe

By Joy Enamuna

The New Nigerian Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has strongly criticised recent actions by four freight forwarding associations—ANLCA, AREFF, NAFFAC, and NCMDLCA—over their alignment with a court judgment against the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

In a statement issued on Monday by Dr. Clement Iwegbuna, Head of Special Duties, NAGAFF Board in Council, the group condemned what it described as disruptive moves by the four associations following their July 18, 2024 press conference in support of a court ruling obtained by Mr. Lucky Eyis Amiwero, the factional president of NCMDLCA.

The case, Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018, which was ruled on May 26, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Lagos, held that licensed customs agents are not freight forwarders and declared the collection of Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) by CRFFN from such agents as illegal. However, NAGAFF pointed out that the CRFFN has since filed a notice of appeal and a stay of execution, meaning the judgment is not yet binding.

While dissociating from the position of the four associations, NAGAFF also referenced a scathing statement issued by Mr. Amiwero, who criticised the same groups for attempting to capitalise on his legal victory.

“Just look at the gathering of these strange bedfellows… They’ve now latched onto Amiwero’s court judgment, in revenge of those that outsmarted them in the Council’s politics and booties sharing,” he said.

NAGAFF described the situation as a clear sign of confusion and opportunism among the groups, whom it accused of lacking credibility and professional discipline. The association further recalled ANLCA’s long-standing opposition to the CRFFN Bill, dating back to the public hearing phase, and described past electoral irregularities during CRFFN’s maiden Governing Council election in 2008.

According to the statement, despite participating in and losing the 2008 election, Mr. Amiwero continued to challenge its outcome for 17 years until the recent court ruling, which NAGAFF sees as part of a sustained campaign to destabilise the Council.

The group also alleged that the opposition to the current Registrar of the CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, stems from his former affiliation with NAGAFF. It insisted that the attacks against him were politically motivated and rooted in professional envy.

NAGAFF stated that it represents over 80% of freight forwarders in Nigeria and urged the federal government not to be swayed by what it described as minority dissenters bent on derailing regulatory efforts and threatening statutory revenue.

Calling on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to take decisive action, the association urged the deregistration of the four associations and a review of their corporate registration over alleged sabotage and revenue threats.

The statement further warned against possible plans to petition the CRFFN leadership, saying:

“If they dare us, NAGAFF will not hesitate to open the Pandora’s box.”

NAGAFF also suggested that ANLCA and NCMDLCA must align with the new nomenclature of “Customs Representatives” as stated in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, noting that the previous law recognising them—CEMA—had been repealed.

In a firm declaration of support, NAGAFF passed a vote of confidence on Registrar Igwe, praising his leadership and achievements in less than one year in office, despite ongoing distractions.

“We wish to assure the Registrar of the support of the High Command of NAGAFF and the teeming freight forwarding practitioners in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.

The association urged all practitioners to uphold professionalism and remain compliant with CRFFN’s statutory obligations, reiterating that the sector is guided by both the CRFFN Act No. 16 of 2007 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.