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Federal Government May Ground 60 Private Jets Today Over Unpaid Import Duty

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The Nigerian government is set to ground over 60 private jets owned by top individuals due to unpaid import duties totaling billions of naira.

Documents reveal the Nigerian Customs Service will commence enforcement on October 14, 2024.

This follows reports of widespread duty evasion and a prior verification exercise conducted between June and July.

Meanwhile, the documents sighted (by The Punch) on Sunday showed that private jets belonging to some top business moguls, including chairmen and top executives of some banks would be stopped from flying.

Already, top private jet owners, who will be affected by the decision, have been officially notified by the NCS.

According to the documents, the majority of the affected planes are foreign-registered private jets owned by Nigerians.

Some of the luxury aircraft on the list are: Bombardier Challenger 604 CL-600-2B16, Bombardier Challenger 3500, Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, Bombardier BD-700 Global 6500, Bombardier BD-700 Global 7500.

Each of the Bombardier BD-700 Global 7500 are estimated to cost over $70m, while the Global 6500 and 6000 version cost over $50m.

While 11 private jet owners have received notification of the grounding of their aircraft, report has it that no fewer than 55 other operators would get their letters on Monday (today).

This came as it was gathered that some top private jet operators had lobbied the Presidency ahead of the Monday grounding exercise but our correspondent learnt that the Presidency refused to interfere in the process.

The development, it was learnt, had made some operators to begin the process of settling the import duty.

Officials said some private jet owners had promised to settle the duty this week.

Already, operators of a United States-registered Gulfstream G650ER jet belonging to a leading Nigerian bank have reportedly paid N5.3bn import duty to avoid the clampdown exercise.

The Customs had recovered some duties into the government coffers when a similar exercise was carried out in 2019.

But in the letters sighted on Sunday, planes belonging to prominent individuals and corporate entities were restricted from flying until the outstanding duties were settled.

This enforcement action is expected to generate significant revenue for the government.

However, three of these aircraft slated for grounding effective today, had been reportedly flown out of the country.

However, the jets will be grounded as soon as they return to the country.

According to officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they lacked the authority to speak on the matter, the Nigerian Customs Act of 2023 empowers the customs service to penalise the owner or importer of any goods illegally imported into the country.

The official added that the NCS had issued demand notes to all affected owners and importers, instructing them to pay outstanding duties on their private aircraft.

While some aircraft owners have entered negotiations with the NCS to settle the outstanding payments, others have submitted written undertakings to clear the dues upon their return to Nigeria.

It is estimated that the NCS could generate over N260bn from this enforcement exercise.

BIG STORY

Obasa Hails ‘Jandor’s’ Return To The APC

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Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has hailed the return of former Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, to the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a positive development and a major boost for the ruling party in Lagos.

Speaker Obasa, who hosted Jandor on Tuesday at his official residence in Ikeja GRA, expressed excitement over his return to the APC, describing it as the only political platform that truly reflects the aspirations of Lagosians, and indeed, Nigerians.

“We are happy to have you back. This is a very good move,” Obasa said, assuring Jandor of full reintegration and collaboration in the party’s collective pursuit of good governance. The Speaker further praised Jandor for his courage and conviction, stressing that the APC’s inclusive structure provides the right platform for unity and development.

Responding, Jandor, who returned officially to the APC fold in March, thanked Obasa for the warm reception and pledged his commitment to working with the APC for the benefit of Lagos State and Nigeria because, “It is only through unity of purpose, shared sacrifice, and responsible leadership that we can secure a brighter and more prosperous future for every Nigerian.

He also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent tax reforms, saying, “Though demanding, the President’s reforms are courageous steps toward re-engineering our economy and laying a firm foundation for progress and prosperity.”

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BIG STORY

Stop Giving Money To Miscreants, Lagos Tells Celebrities, Influencers — Says It Fuels Insecurity, Environmental Problems

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The Lagos State Government has cautioned celebrities, social media influencers, and residents against giving money to street miscreants, warning that such actions worsen insecurity and environmental issues.

Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources, issued the warning in a statement posted on X on Tuesday.

“Celebrities, influencers, and even well-meaning Lagosians must stop giving money to these miscreants. Each time you hand them cash, you are not solving their problem; you are encouraging them to stay on the streets, emboldening them to multiply, and reinforcing a cycle of lawlessness,” Wahab wrote.

He added that what many regard as an act of kindness complicates enforcement and creates broader security challenges.

His remarks followed a complaint by a resident, Olukayode Ajenifuja, who reported harassment along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Ajenifuja urged the state to deploy the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch to curb extortion, assault, and intimidation by homeless boys and teenagers in the area.

The warning also came after a viral video showed touts and luxury car content creators chasing a convoy believed to be carrying Afrobeats star Burna Boy, attempting to solicit money while recording content. The singer’s security team prevented them from reaching his car.

Wahab said the state government is committed to tackling the menace but urged residents to support the efforts by refusing to encourage the miscreants.

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BIG STORY

Leave Before Visa Expires Or We’ll Remove You — UK Warns Foreign Students

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The United Kingdom has warned international students whose visas have expired to leave the country or risk deportation.

The Home Office, in a new enforcement campaign, said it has begun sending direct text and email messages to students, marking the first time such a measure is being applied.

According to the BBC, about 10,000 students whose visas are due to expire have already received the messages, while tens of thousands more will be contacted in the coming months.

The message from the Home Office reads: “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”

The agency also warned that asylum claims considered “lacking merit” would be swiftly rejected.

Data released by the Home Office showed that between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of 41,100 asylum claims were lodged by people who had entered the UK legally on visas, with students making up the largest share.

Figures indicated that international students filed 16,000 asylum claims in 2024, almost six times the number recorded in 2020. Although the number has since dropped by about 10 percent, the British government said it expects a further reduction.

The department noted that asylum claims by skilled worker visa holders have decreased within the same period.

Earlier this year, the UK government reduced the period foreign graduates can remain in the country after completing their studies, cutting it from two years to 18 months.

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