Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - Nigeria Customs seeks permanent forfeiture of three aircraft linked to Sayyu Dantata over alleged ₦2.31 billion unpaid import duty
Disputed duty implies aircraft worth about ₦46.3 billion, based on Customs’
five per cent rate, not an independent valuation
Federal High Court hearing is scheduled to continue on
October 22, 2026; no forfeiture order has been issued
The Nigeria Customs Service has asked the Federal High Court
in Lagos to order the permanent forfeiture of three aircraft linked to Sayyu
Dantata, founder of MRS Holdings, over an alleged ₦2.31 billion unpaid import duty.
The application puts the aircraft at risk of seizure and
possible disposal by the Federal Government, escalating a dispute over their
importation and status in Nigeria.
Dantata, a half-brother of Aliko Dangote, is named alongside
Bestaf Services and Metro Capital as respondents. However, the allegations
remain unproven, and the court has not delivered a final judgment.
According to Billionaires Africa, the aircraft comprise a
2011 Beechcraft King Air 350i, a 2013 Gulfstream G550 and a 2018 Robinson R66
helicopter.
The Beechcraft carries serial number FL-750, while the
Gulfstream’s serial number is 5455.
Although the dispute has attracted attention around private
jets, the application covers three different aircraft types: a turboprop
aeroplane, a business jet and a helicopter.
Customs alleges that the aircraft entered Nigeria without
the required declarations, permits, approvals or payment of import duty. It
also accuses the respondents of misrepresenting or failing to declare their
actual purpose and status upon entry.
The service says its verification exercise involving
privately owned aircraft uncovered the alleged shortfall. Its position is that
private aircraft permanently based in Nigeria attract import duty, Reports
Billionaires Africa.
The amount Customs says remains unpaid is ₦2,312,946,260.
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