Federal High Court Nullifies ANLCA NECOM Election, Affirms Chief Bola Ashiru Balogun As Authentic Chairman Of MMAC

The Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, has declared as null, void and of no effect the participation of two individuals laying claim to the Chairmanship of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Murtala Muhammed International Airport Chapter (MMAC) in the National Executive Committee (NECOM) Election of the Association.

In a landmark judgment delivered on Thursday, October 8, 2026 by Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/2251/2025, the court resolved all issues in favour of the Plaintiff, Chief Bola Asiru Balogun, Chairman, ANLCA MMAC.

Chief Balogun had dragged the Incorporated Trustees of ANLCA, the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, the National Executive Council and the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission to court, challenging the recognition of Mr. Temitope Akindele and Mr. Bamgbala Abayomi Adejare Adewusi as simultaneous Chairmen of the same MMAC Chapter.

Court Affirms Plaintiff’s Membership

In its judgment, the court dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the Respondents that the Plaintiff lacked locus standi because his company, Sofotopy Nigeria Limited (RC 88928), had been struck off by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The court held that the company was duly reinstated by an order of Hon. Justice E.U. Akpan of the Federal High Court on November 3, 2025, and confirmed as active by the CAC in a letter dated December 17, 2025. Consequently, Chief Balogun satisfied Section 4(1) of the ANLCA Supreme Constitution and has full locus to sue.

Dual Chairmanship Illegal, Illogical — Court

On the substantive issues, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that under Section 5 of the ANLCA Constitution (As Amended 2000), the National Executive Council shall comprise a Chairman for each chapter, not two persons for one chapter. Section 11(2) further provides that only one person shall occupy the office of Chairman at any one time.

The court described as illogical and antithetical to law, the action of the Respondents in publishing and enlisting two individuals as Chairmen of the same chapter as delegates to the NECOM election, in flagrant breach of the Association’s Supreme Constitution.