Customs seeks forfeiture of Sayyu Dantata’s N46.3bn aircraft over N2.3bn ‘unpaid’ duty

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked a federal high
court in Lagos to forfeit three aircraft linked to Sayyu Dantata over an
alleged N2.31 billion unpaid import duty.

 

The motion, filed in June 2026, names Dantata, Bestaf
Services and Metro Capital as respondents.

The aircraft are a 2011 Beechcraft King Air 350i with serial
number FL-750; a 2013 Gulfstream G550 with serial number 5455; and a 2018
Robinson R66 helicopter.

The NCS is seeking a final order for the seizure,
condemnation and forfeiture of the aircraft under sections 245 and 246 of the
Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

The agency wants ownership and possession of the aircraft on
behalf of the federal government, with authority to sell or otherwise dispose
of them.

According to the court filing, the NCS arrived at the
N2,312,946,260 duty claim using a five percent duty rate.

On that basis, the agency’s calculation puts the combined
value of the three aircraft at about N46.3 billion.

The NCS alleged that the aircraft were brought into Nigeria
without the required declaration, permit, approval or payment of import duty.

The service also alleged that the respondents misrepresented
or failed to declare the actual purpose and status of the aircraft when they
were brought into the country.

It said privately owned aircraft permanently based in
Nigeria are liable to import duty and that the alleged unpaid duty was
uncovered during a recent verification exercise involving private aircraft.

The NCS said the forfeiture order was necessary to prevent
the aircraft from being taken out of Nigeria and thereby frustrate enforcement.

The supporting affidavit was sworn by Simi Adamson, a member
of the service’s legal department.

Dantata is the founder of MRS Holdings, a downstream
petroleum group that operates fuel stations across Nigeria.

He is also a half-brother of Aliko Dangote and a member of
the Dantata business family in Kano.

The matter has been adjourned until October 22, 2026, for
continuation of hearing.

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