ANLCA Coup: Nwabunike, Farinto, Others Out of Lagos When Mustapha’s Group Struck
NWABUNIKE
ANLCA President out of the country, Farinto, others in Abuja
By Our Reporter
The sealing and take-over of the Secretariat of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Amuwo Odofin was an easy task as the President, Iju Tony Nwabunike and other key national officers were out of Lagos at the time of the episode.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force had on Wednesday stormed the Secretariat to seal it off.
The action of the police is believed to have been as a result of the invitation by the Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha group.
Mustapha’s supporters were seen at the secretariat celebrating the take –over in a drinking spree.
However, sources close to the national officers of the association said the President, Nwabunike and his Deputy President, Dr. Kayode Farinto, were all out of Lagos when the incident happened.
The source said Nwabunike travelled out of the country and is yet to be back, while his deputy, Farinto and other national officers were in Abuja on official engagement when Mustapha group came calling.
The source said the plan by Mustapha’s group would have been averted if Nwabunike and Kayode were in Lagos.
Our source added that it would have been a clash that could have led to bloodshed.
The take-over was at about 1715 hours on Wednesday according to a statement by Mr Joe Sanni who is also on the side of Mustapha.
According to Sanni, “Today – Wednesday, 16th February 2022 @ 1715 hours, marks the eventual end of the long drawn unnecessary crisis of confidence in ANLCA, as the Dikko Inde House National Secretariat was taken over, occupied by members of great ANLCA and reverted back to the Board of Trustees of ANLCA, who are the constitutional custodians.
“The BOT took over effortlessly, under the close watch of Policemen from Zone 2 and Area E Commands. Both teams will be ensuring a 24/7 security surveillance on the National Secretariat over a long period of time.
Chairman of the BOT – Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, in company with the Secretary- Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, thanked members for the massive support and pleaded that no one should take laws into their hands”.
Mustapha and some members of group had earlier been expelled by the Association.
At the event on Wednesday, Mustapha claimed the action had become necessary as efforts to address issues peacefully failed.
The group added that the take-over was as a result of the refusal of the executive members of ANLCA to obey court orders.
Incidentally, Mustapha’s group was reported some weeks ago to have initiated out of court settlement but with stringent conditions that were turned down by the national executive.
It was a merry-making by the group as so many of them were seen drinking freely on the premises of ANLCA.
The sealing and take-over of the Secretariat of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Amuwo Odofin was an easy task as the President, Iju Tony Nwabunike and other key national officers were out of Lagos at the time of the episode.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force had on Wednesday stormed the Secretariat to seal it off.
The action of the police is believed to have been as a result of the invitation by the Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha group.
Mustapha’s supporters were seen at the secretariat celebrating the take –over in a drinking spree.
However, sources close to the national officers of the association said the President, Nwabunike and his Deputy President, Dr. Kayode Farinto, were all out of Lagos when the incident happened.
The source said Nwabunike travelled out of the country and is yet to be back, while his deputy, Farinto and other national officers were in Abuja on official engagement when Mustapha group came calling.
The source said the plan by Mustapha’s group would have been averted if Nwabunike and Kayode were in Lagos.
Our source added that it would have been a clash that could have led to bloodshed.
The take-over was at about 1715 hours on Wednesday according to a statement by Mr Joe Sanni who is also on the side of Mustapha.
According to Sanni, “Today – Wednesday, 16th February 2022 @ 1715 hours, marks the eventual end of the long drawn unnecessary crisis of confidence in ANLCA, as the Dikko Inde House National Secretariat was taken over, occupied by members of great ANLCA and reverted back to the Board of Trustees of ANLCA, who are the constitutional custodians.
“The BOT took over effortlessly, under the close watch of Policemen from Zone 2 and Area E Commands. Both teams will be ensuring a 24/7 security surveillance on the National Secretariat over a long period of time.
Chairman of the BOT – Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, in company with the Secretary- Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, thanked members for the massive support and pleaded that no one should take laws into their hands”.
Mustapha and some members of group had earlier been expelled by the Association.
At the event on Wednesday, Mustapha claimed the action had become necessary as efforts to address issues peacefully failed.
The group added that the take-over was as a result of the refusal of the executive members of ANLCA to obey court orders.
Incidentally, Mustapha’s group was reported some weeks ago to have initiated out of court settlement but with stringent conditions that were turned down by the national executive.
It was a merry-making by the group as so many of them were seen drinking freely on the premises of ANLCA.
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