Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of three aircraft linked to businessman Sayyu Dantata over an alleged N2.31 billion unpaid import duty.
Gatekeepers News reports that the motion, filed in June 2026, lists Dantata, Bestaf Services Limited and Metro Capital Limited as respondents.
The aircraft identified in the case are a 2011 Beechcraft King Air 350i, a 2013 Gulfstream G550, and a 2018 Robinson R66 helicopter. Customs put their combined value at about N46.3 billion, based on its calculation using a five percent import duty rate.
According to the Customs Service, the aircraft were brought into Nigeria without the required declarations, permits, approvals or payment of applicable import duties.
The agency also alleged that the respondents misrepresented or failed to declare the actual purpose and status of the aircraft when they were brought into the country.
Customs said the alleged duty liability was uncovered during a recent verification exercise involving privately owned aircraft. It is relying on Sections 245 and 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 in seeking the seizure, condemnation and forfeiture of the aircraft.
The service is also asking the court to vest ownership and possession of the aircraft in the Federal Government and authorise their sale or other disposal.
The NCS said the order was necessary to prevent the aircraft from being taken out of Nigeria and to ensure that enforcement proceedings are not frustrated.
Dantata, the founder of MRS Holdings and a half-brother of businessman Aliko Dangote, is among the respondents in the case.
The matter has been adjourned until October 22, 2026, for continuation of hearing. The allegations by Customs remain claims before the court and have not been established by a final judgment.
