Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian Auctioneers Association (NAA) has cautioned government institutions against violating the legal instruments governing the auction of forfeited assets, stating that the process for auctioning public assets is clearly spelt out by law.
The association stated that only licensed auctioneers are empowered by law to auction assets or property on behalf of the government or corporate bodies.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the President of the Nigerian Auctioneers Association (NAA), Alhaji Musa Kurra, warned government agencies against dealing with anyone parading himself as the President of the NAA other than himself.
He noted that his four-year term as president of the association will elapse in 2027, asserting that anyone parading himself as the leader of the association and transacting business with government institutions on that basis is an impostor.
“There are so many government agencies that think they are above the law. So many of them are doing things as they please, and they know they are going against the law. They think they are above the law.
“We are guided by the law. We are recognised by the law of this country, and we are licensed. So, what we are saying is that if anybody wants to be an auctioneer, the door is open for him. But you cannot be a public official and become an auctioneer at the same time. It is not possible.
“This is what is happening in so many places, and I want to call the attention of the President to it because they are tarnishing his image.
“Some went as far as creating a department called the Direct Auction Administration Department. That department is illegal. What they are doing is illegal. They know that the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 (POCA), is there. If you do not even believe in the Public Procurement Act, 2007 (PPA), the POCA is there. That is the regulatory framework governing auctions in Nigeria.
“The POCA Act says they should appoint a qualified valuer to value whatever they seize, especially where there is a final forfeiture. They should appoint a qualified valuer to value the properties and appoint a licensed auctioneer to auction the properties. Any property forfeited as a result of crime is supposed to be auctioned to the public. It belongs to the people of this country.”
Expressing displeasure over those impersonating the leadership of the association, he said: “As far as I am concerned, we do not have any faction. Everybody knows what is legitimate. Everybody knows what is right.
“If they are just going around imposing themselves because they are impostors, we have no other name for them. If they have any documents, whether court documents or otherwise, that invalidate the judgment of the National Industrial Court or invalidate the election that took place in October 2023, let them bring them.
“Why are they desperate? There is going to be another election in 2027, by the will of God. Why cannot they wait and come and test their popularity there? Why must they impose themselves?
“Nobody wants to have any trouble with anybody. But we are saying that the law must take its course. That is what we are saying, nothing else.”