{
  "id": 2457283,
  "title": "Auctioneers demand probe of MDAs’ asset disposal process",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/auctioneers-demand-probe-of-mdas-asset-disposal-process",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T00:26:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/auctioneers-demand-probe-of-mdas-asset-disposal-process/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Auctioneers Association (NAA) has accused government ministries, departments and agencies of taking over the roles of licensed auctioneers when disposing of seized and public assets, which allegedly violates due process. According to the association's National President, Musa Kurra, this practice has led to the waste of billions of naira worth of assets and undermined transparency in the management of public property. The NAA specifically criticized the Nigeria Customs Service for bypassing the statutory framework for the disposal of seized assets and creating an illegal internal auction structure. Kurra argued that if someone wants to become an auctioneer, they can do so independently, but a public official cannot simultaneously be an auctioneer, which is what is happening in many cases. The association has documented instances of valuable assets being sold for significantly less than their actual value, such as 338 vehicles sold for just N3.38 million, or around N10,000 per vehicle. Kurra also alleged that some importers discovered their properties had been disposed of without their knowledge, after having already paid duties on them. The NAA president urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate these claims.",
  "summary": "Nigerian auctioneers accuse MDAs, especially Customs, of violating due process in asset disposal, costing billions. They demand a probe into the asset disp Read More: https://punchng.com/auctioneers-demand-probe-of-mdas-asset-disposal-process/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The Nigeria Auctioneers Association's call for a probe into government asset disposal processes highlights concerns over transparency and due process, suggesting some public officials may be usurping licensed auctioneers' roles.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Auctioneers demand probe of MDAs’ asset disposal process",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/auctioneers-demand-probe-of-mdas-asset-disposal-process-2461274",
        "published": "2026-08-22T00:32:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}