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

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of 3 aircraft associated with businessman Sayyu Dantata over an alleged outstanding import duty of N2.31 billion.

The application, filed in June 2026, listed Dantata, Bestaf Services and Metro Capital as respondents in the suit.

The aircraft identified 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.

Customs is seeking a final order directing the seizure, condemnation and forfeiture of the aircraft to the Federal Government pursuant to sections 245 and 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

If granted, the order would transfer ownership and possession of the aircraft to the Federal Government and empower the authorities to sell or otherwise dispose of the assets.

Customs puts aircraft value at N46.3bn

According to the court documents, the NCS calculated the alleged duty liability at N2,312,946,260 using a five percent import duty rate.

Based on that calculation, the service put the combined value of the 3 aircraft at approximately N46.3 billion.

Customs alleged that the aircraft were imported into Nigeria without the necessary declarations, permits, approvals or payment of applicable import duties.

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The agency further accused the respondents of failing to properly disclose the actual purpose and status of the aircraft at the time they were brought into the country.

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

Verification exercise triggered investigation

The alleged duty liability, according to Customs, was uncovered during a verification exercise involving privately owned aircraft operating or based in Nigeria.

The agency told the court that the respondents’ alleged failure to settle the outstanding duty constituted a breach of the customs laws.

Customs also argued that forfeiture was necessary to safeguard the aircraft from being moved outside Nigeria before the dispute is resolved.

According to the service, allowing the aircraft to leave the country could undermine its ability to enforce any eventual judgment or recover the alleged outstanding duty.

The supporting affidavit accompanying the application was sworn to by a member of the NCS legal department, Simi Adamson.

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Dantata’s business background

Dantata is the founder of MRS Holdings, a Nigerian downstream petroleum group with a network of filling stations and other interests in the energy sector.

He is also a half-brother of billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote and belongs to the prominent Dantata business family of Kano.

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

The allegations contained in the Customs application remain subject to determination by the court.