Customs Seeks Forfeiture of Three Aircraft Linked to Sayyu Dantata Over N2.31bn Duty

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the permanent forfeiture of three aircraft linked to billionaire businessman Sayyu Dantata over an alleged unpaid import duty of N2.31 billion.

The application, filed at the Lagos Judicial Division and dated June 2026, seeks the seizure and forfeiture of the aircraft under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

The aircraft listed in the court documents 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.

According to Customs, the applicable import duty is five per cent of the aircraft’s value. Based on the agency’s calculation, the combined value of the three aircraft is about N46.3 billion.

The Gulfstream G550 is the most valuable of the three aircraft, with comparable models of the same period reportedly valued at nearly $30 million on the international market.

Also listed as respondents in the case are Bestaf Services and Metro Capital.

Customs alleged that the aircraft were brought into Nigeria without the required declarations, permits, approvals and payment of import duties.

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

The NCS maintained that privately owned aircraft that are permanently based in Nigeria are subject to applicable import duties.

The agency said the alleged duty liability was uncovered during a recent verification exercise involving privately owned aircraft operating in the country.

Rather than seeking a temporary order, Customs is asking the court to issue a final order condemning and forfeiting the aircraft to the Federal Government.

It is also asking for ownership and possession of the aircraft to be vested in the service on behalf of the Federal Government, with authority to sell or otherwise dispose of them in accordance with the law.

The service said the order was necessary to prevent the aircraft from being removed from Nigeria and to ensure that enforcement proceedings were not frustrated.

The supporting affidavit was sworn by Simi Adamson of the NCS legal department.

The case forms part of a wider Customs review of private aircraft in Nigeria.

The service has also separately taken legal action involving oil magnate Folorunsho Alakija’s Famfa Oil over aircraft allegedly linked to an outstanding duty of N8.85 billion.

The cases indicate that Customs is examining the importation and status of privately owned aircraft in Nigeria as part of its verification exercise.

However, the allegations against Dantata and the other respondents have not been proven in court. No judgment has been delivered in the matter.

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

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