10/01/2026
When Custom Officer seize anything from you or your loved ones.
The officers are mandated to provide Notice of Seizure, we call it Seizure Receipt
If you don't collect your Seizure Receipt, what it means is this
The custom officer did not document it and may fail to report it in their office, which will give them the grace to sell it or enrich themselves with what they seize from you
The officer must provide a written document stating what was seized and why (the specific legal grounds or offense).
You have 30 days from the date on the Notice of Seizure to file a formal "Notice of Claim" to contest the seizure.
If you contest the seizure, Customs generally cannot dispose of the goods without a court order of condemnation.
Know your right
Instead of begging those Customs officers, collect your Seizure receipt and contest it within 30 days
You may want ask, Atanda how do i contest it within the 30 days
Submit a formal Notice of Claim to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) at the Area Command where the goods were seized. This letter should detail why the seizure was unlawful
Or
If the administrative claim is rejected in step one, you can file a lawsuit in the Federal High Court.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse
Reference,
Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023,