Nigerian Customs Officer Remains In Detention, Five Months After Exposing Petrol Smuggling Business To Neighbouring Countries

Owombo Segun John, an officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) who raised the alarm on how refined petroleum products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, is being smuggled to Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic and other African countries has remained in detention.

Owombo, a Superintendent of Customs (SC) in a video had narrated how he arrested so many smugglers on Wednesday, November 2, at Malabo Checkpoint on Belel Road, Adamawa state.

He however said senior officials of the NCS called him to release the suspects.

In November 2022, SaharaReporters reported how Owombo was transported to Abuja from Adamawa State to meet with the Comptroller General of Customs while in detention.

SaharaReporters had also reported that Owombo was set to undergo certain tests while in detention.

According to the results of tests performed at Karu General Hospital in Abuja and obtained by SaharaReporters, Owombo is suffering from a kidney disease that could worsen if not treated immediately.

Another source in the agency on Friday told SaharaReporters that the officer has been kept in open detention since his arrest to ensure media silence over his matter.

The source added that Owombo was also issued a query last week for allegedly exposing “to the public the secrecy of the public service.”

The letter signed by SA BOMAI, Secretary/Ag. Assistant Comptroller-General (Board) and obtained by SaharaReporters read, “It has been brought to the notice of the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) that your attitude to work and general conduct has been unsatisfactory:

“That you Svc No 44836 SC SI OWOMBO, while serving at Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone D as a proper Officer, involved in a case of disclosing official information, violation of oath of secrecy and act of unbecoming of a Public Officer.

“This constitutes a Serious Misconduct under the Public Service Rule (PSR) 030402 (i), (n) and (w) punishable under 030401 with Dismissal.

“2. If you have any representations to make as to why necessary disciplinary action, including dismissal from the Service should not be taken against you, you should submit same, to the satisfaction of the Board, in duplicate, through the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), within forty-eight (48) hours, of receipt of this query.

“Please note that if your representation is not received within this time limit, it will be taken to mean that you have none to make and necessary disciplinary action against you shall commence accordingly.

“3. You will be allowed access to documents relevant to your defence. 4. Acknowledge receipt of this query on the copy attached herewith.”