The closed door meeting between the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) has been described by stakeholders as an act that attracts the contempt of court.
The meeting which was held at the CRFFN headquarters Abuja, last week, when ANLCA visited the Council had top on its agenda the resolution of the issue of the controversial Practitioners Operating Fees (POF).
The founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders,(NAGAFF) Dr. Boniface Aniebonam said that Jukwe and ANLCA committed perjury against the Court by holding a meeting to discuss the issue of POF, when the matter is awaiting judgment before a Federal High Court.
According to him, “ if a case is in Court and the parties involved decides to resolve out of court, the parties must seek the consent of the Courts to do so and feedback the Court thereafter so that the resolution will form part of the judgment”
He added “ANLCA may not know the implication, that is why they should always consult their legal dept to counsel them on the legal consequences of their actions, their visit to CRFFN headquarters in Abuja, last week, for the resolution of POF without court consent is against the rule.
He maintained that ANLCA was lucky that the management of CRFFN and the associations did not raise the issue of private invasion of their freedom, adding that the visit to CRFFN is considered a threat to the peace in the port because they cannot be in court and go behind to seek peaceful resolution.
He advised ANLCA to follow the leadership of their president so as to make progress.
