Customs Releases Seized Bullion Van and N24 Million to Access Bank After Investigation

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The Ogun Area Command II of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has provided clarification regarding the release of a bullion van that was seized in April 2022 for carrying smuggled foreign parboiled rice and a sum of N24 million belonging to Access Bank.

Customs Area Controller, Olusola Alade, revealed to reporters in Abeokuta that the van was impounded after it was discovered to be transporting 12 bags of 50kg smuggled foreign parboiled rice. Additionally, it was found to contain N24.4 million in cash. The bullion van, bearing registration number FKJ 993 BZ and identified as belonging to Bankers Warehouse, was confiscated by a joint border patrol team along the Sokoto-ljoun/Joga road in the Abeokuta axis.

Following an investigation, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, ordered the release of the bullion van and the money to Bankers Warehouse Ltd. and Access Bank on compassionate grounds. Alade further stated that three suspects connected to the smuggling incident had been apprehended and charged to court.

The seized foreign parboiled rice was concealed within the vehicle and was subsequently converted to seizure in accordance with Section 168 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. The money was discovered during an examination of the vehicle and was deposited at the Abeokuta branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safekeeping.

Bankers Warehouse Ltd. and Access Bank appealed to the Customs’ Comptroller-General for the release of the van and money. Following the investigation and recommendations of the NCS Investigation Unit, the Comptroller-General approved the release based on compassionate grounds and in line with Section 248 (1) and (2) of the NCS Act, 2023.

Source: PM News

BF Borgers, an accounting firm owned by former US President Donald Trump, has been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of engaging in widespread fraud and operating a “sham audit mill.” The SEC alleges that BF Borgers committed “deliberate and systemic failures,” including the fabrication of audit papers and false assurances to clients regarding compliance with accounting standards.

This fraudulent activity, described as “massive,” occurred between January 2021 and June 2023, impacting over 1,500 SEC filings and more than 500 public companies. As a consequence, the SEC has permanently barred BF Borgers from practicing as accountants before the agency and imposed a severe penalty, including a collective fine of $14 million against the firm and its owner, Benjamin Borgers.

In a statement, Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC’s enforcement division, declared that Borgers and his “sham audit mill” have been permanently shut down. The SEC has notified public companies that engaged BF Borgers to seek new accounting firms.

Trump Media & Technology Group, chaired and majority-owned by Donald Trump, was among BF Borgers’ clients. While Trump Media may be the most high-profile client, BF Borgers served around 350 clients subject to SEC rules during the mentioned period. However, the SEC review only examined BF Borgers’ work for public companies, excluding its services to Trump Media when it was private.

Trump Media, despite its significant valuation on Wall Street exceeding $9 billion, generates limited revenue. Its social media platform, Truth Social, faces challenges, with a notable decline in average daily active US users on iOS and Android in April. Despite this, Donald Trump remains a prominent user on Truth Social.

In response to the SEC’s actions, a spokesperson for Trump Media expressed readiness to collaborate with new auditing partners in compliance with the SEC’s order. BF Borgers did not provide a comment on the allegations.

In summary, BF Borgers, owned by Donald Trump, faces severe consequences following accusations of fraud by the SEC. The firm’s practices, characterized as a “sham audit mill,” have led to permanent suspension and hefty fines. Trump Media, among BF Borgers’ clients, is navigating challenges despite its substantial valuation, particularly with its Truth Social platform experiencing a decline in user engagement.

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BF Borgers, an accounting firm owned by former US President Donald Trump, has been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of engaging in widespread fraud and operating a “sham audit mill.” The SEC alleges that BF Borgers committed “deliberate and systemic failures,” including the fabrication of audit papers and false assurances to clients regarding compliance with accounting standards.

This fraudulent activity, described as “massive,” occurred between January 2021 and June 2023, impacting over 1,500 SEC filings and more than 500 public companies. As a consequence, the SEC has permanently barred BF Borgers from practicing as accountants before the agency and imposed a severe penalty, including a collective fine of $14 million against the firm and its owner, Benjamin Borgers.

In a statement, Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC’s enforcement division, declared that Borgers and his “sham audit mill” have been permanently shut down. The SEC has notified public companies that engaged BF Borgers to seek new accounting firms.

Trump Media & Technology Group, chaired and majority-owned by Donald Trump, was among BF Borgers’ clients. While Trump Media may be the most high-profile client, BF Borgers served around 350 clients subject to SEC rules during the mentioned period. However, the SEC review only examined BF Borgers’ work for public companies, excluding its services to Trump Media when it was private.

Trump Media, despite its significant valuation on Wall Street exceeding $9 billion, generates limited revenue. Its social media platform, Truth Social, faces challenges, with a notable decline in average daily active US users on iOS and Android in April. Despite this, Donald Trump remains a prominent user on Truth Social.

In response to the SEC’s actions, a spokesperson for Trump Media expressed readiness to collaborate with new auditing partners in compliance with the SEC’s order. BF Borgers did not provide a comment on the allegations.

In summary, BF Borgers, owned by Donald Trump, faces severe consequences following accusations of fraud by the SEC. The firm’s practices, characterized as a “sham audit mill,” have led to permanent suspension and hefty fines. Trump Media, among BF Borgers’ clients, is navigating challenges despite its substantial valuation, particularly with its Truth Social platform experiencing a decline in user engagement.

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