Section 221: Power to prevent flight of aircraft

1 An officer, if it appears to him that an aircraft is intended or likely to depart for a destination outside Nigeria from any place other than a customs control zone otherwise than as permitted in writing by the Service before customs clearance is given there from, may give such instructions and take such steps by way of detention of the aircraft or otherwise as appear to him necessary in order to prevent the departure.

2 Any person who contravenes any instructions given under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of three years or both, and if the aircraft flies in contravention of any such instruction or notwithstanding any steps taken to prevent the flight, the operator of the aircraft and the captain shall each, without prejudice to the liability of any other person under this subsection, be severally liable unless he proves that the flight took place without his consent or connivance.