Lawlessness In ANLCA: Faction Plans NEC Meeting 19 Days After Court Judgment

Despite a subsisting Federal High Court judgment that nullified its election and restrained its executive from parading as officers of the Association, the embattled National Executive Committee (NECOM) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has summoned a meeting of the National Executive Council.

The invitation letter sighted by our correspondent, with reference number ANLCA/HQTR/NECM/10/27/26/NS and dated 27th October, 2026, was signed by Mr. Olumide Fakanlu, as National Secretary for the National President.

According to the letter, the NEC meeting – the highest decision-making organ of the Association – is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th November, 2026, at the National Secretariat, Dikko Inde House, Plot 347, Durbar Road, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, by 10:00 am daily.

Agenda for the meeting as stated in the invitation are:

1. Anniversary Committee Report
2. MMAC Resolves
3. AOB

The meeting is coming barely 19 days after Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2251/2025, nullified the ANLCA NECOM election of August 2023, declaring it illegal and conducted in flagrant disobedience to an earlier subsisting judgment delivered by Justice P.O. Lifu on May 5, 2023.

The court had held that it is unconstitutional to have two chairmen for one chapter and consequently affirmed Chief Bola Asiru Balogun as the authentic Chairman of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter (MMAC).

Legal experts say with the judgment, the entire executive that emerged from the voided election lacks legal vires to convene any organ of the Association, let alone the NEC which is the highest decision-making body.

“It is not only contempt of court, it is an attempt to foist a fait accompli on the judiciary. You cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand. Once your election has been nullified, you cannot be inviting NEC members,” a maritime lawyer who asked not to be named said.

Stakeholders are now asking whether the proposed NEC meeting is an attempt to deliberate on the “MMAC Resolves” in order to undermine the court judgment affirming Chief Balogun.

As at press time, copies of the court judgment are said to have been served on the association’s secretariat and relevant regulatory agencies.

All eyes are now on the judiciary and the Police to enforce compliance and prevent the association from descending into anarchy through brazen disobedience to court orders.