- Association maintains Temitope Akindele remains airport chapter chairman, says it has filed motion for stay of execution
The Federal High Court in Lagos has nullified the August 2023 National Executive Committee (NEC) election of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), ruling that the participation of two individuals claiming chairmanship of the same chapter violated the association’s constitution.
However, ANLCA’s Board of Trustees (BOT) says it has appealed the judgment and filed a motion for a stay of execution, while maintaining that Hon. Temitope Pius Akindele remains chairman of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Chapter (MMAC).
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa delivered the judgment on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in suit No. FHC/L/CS/2251/2025, instituted by Chief Bola Asiru Balogun, who identified himself as chairman of the airport chapter.
The defendants challenged Balogun’s right to institute the action, arguing that he was no longer a member of the association because his company, Sofotopy Nigeria Limited, had been struck off the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) register and his operating licence suspended.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa rejected the preliminary objection, noting that evidence showed the company had been reinstated following an order made by Justice E.U. Akpan of the Federal High Court on November 3, 2025.
The judge also cited a CAC letter dated December 17, 2025, confirming that Sofotopy Nigeria Limited, registration number RC 88928, was active. The court consequently held that Balogun had the requisite legal standing to pursue the case.
The substantive dispute concerned the participation of Temitope Pius Akindele and Bamgbala Abayomi Adejare Adewusi in the August 2023 NEC election, with both associated with claims to the chairmanship of ANLCA’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport Chapter.
Balogun asked the court to invalidate the election and the subsequent inauguration of the NEC, arguing that two individuals could not simultaneously occupy the same chapter chairmanship under the association’s constitution.
In reaching its decision, the court relied on Section 5 of ANLCA’s constitution, as amended in 2000, which provides for the composition of the National Executive Council, including chapter chairmen.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa also relied on an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Peter O. Lifu on May 5, 2023, which recognised Balogun as chairman of the airport chapter and disqualified Adewusi from the position.
The judge held that the earlier judgment remained binding when the August 2023 election was conducted. The court resolved the issues raised in Balogun’s originating summons in his favour, nullified the disputed NEC election and granted the reliefs he sought.
In a notice dated October 13, 2026, the ANLCA-MMAC Media Director/PA General Duties announced that the association’s Board of Trustees had filed an appeal against the judgment, alongside a motion seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.
The notice stated that the national leadership had instructed the MMAC chairman to take over the chapter’s secretariat, assets and properties. It also warned Balogun against accessing or interfering with association property and maintained that Akindele remained the recognised chairman of the chapter.
The association urged members to remain calm and loyal to its national leadership while the legal process continues.
However, the filing of an appeal and an application for a stay of execution does not, by itself, establish that execution of the judgment has been suspended. That depends on whether the court grants the stay or another applicable legal order takes effect. The association’s statements about Balogun’s authority therefore remain its stated position and should not be treated as a court determination unless supported by a relevant order.
The judgment marks a significant development in the dispute over ANLCA’s 2023 NEC election and the leadership of its airport chapter. Balogun has secured a ruling in his favour, while the association’s leadership says it is challenging the decision through the appellate process.
The status of the application for a stay of execution and the eventual determination of the appeal will be central to the next phase of the dispute.
For ANLCA members and stakeholders, the immediate priority is to establish the current legal position through the relevant court orders and proceedings, rather than rely solely on competing leadership announcements.
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