POF War: CRFFN files appeal against Federal High Court judgement

The war over the collection of the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) is yet to be over as the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) on Friday, July 18, 2025 filed an appeal against a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Lagos, which  stopped it from collecting POF from licensed customs agents.

The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) recently secured a judgement from the Federal High Court, Lagos against the CRFFN over the collection of POF.

The Registrar/CEO of the Council, Mr. Igwe Kingsley Onyekachi, disclosed this development in a notice on the  appeal to terminal operators and customs agents. He personally signed the notice.

The notice reads:
The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) refers to our earlier correspondence dated 10th July, 2025, regarding the continued enforcement of the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) in line with our statutory responsibilities.

We write to formally inform you that the Council has filed a Notice of Appeal against the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 26th May 2025 in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/2018 – REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF MANAGING DIRECTORS OF LICENSED CUSTOMS AGENTS (NCMDLCA) V. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & 3 ORS.

For your reference and records, kindly find attached the following documents:
A copy of the Notice of Appeal filed by the CRFFN
Proof of service of the Notice of Appeal on the Plaintiff (NCMDLCA)

In accordance with established legal principles, the filing of a Notice of Appeal operates as an automatic stay of execution of the judgment, pending the outcome of the appeal. As such, the legal and regulatory status of CRFFN, including its mandate to collect the POF, remains valid and enforceable.

You are hereby required to continue the enforcement and collection of the Practitioners Operating Fee (POF) in collaboration with the Council as previously directed. We also urge all industry stakeholders to maintain full compliance with CRFFN regulations, pending the final resolution of the matter by the courts.

The Council Registrar  appreciated continued cooperation and support of all stakeholders in promoting professionalism, accountability, and regulatory integrity in the freight forwarding sector.