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The Exit of Raju Boddu: Integrity, Pressure, and the Stakes for Accountability | VIDEO STORY

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The resignation of longtime Customs Comptroller Raju Boddu has sparked widespread attention and debate, coming amid mounting controversy over unauthorized vehicle purchases and questions about accountability within one of the government’s most critical departments.

Shermain Bique-Charles has this report.

The Exit of Raju Boddu: Integrity, Pressure, and the Stakes for  Accountability VIDEO STORY
Former Customs Comptroller Raju Boddu

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/10/19/the-exit-of-raju-boddu-integrity-pressure-and-the-stakes-for-accountability-video-story. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (32)

  • Ingrid Johnson October 19, 2025, 7:46 PM

    Well balanced and put together. 👏. Honestly when I heard how Boddu just left the job it wasn’t a send-off anyone who spent two decades in a job should get. But is so it go
    Reply

  • Faithful National #1 October 19, 2025, 8:06 PM

    An oversight???? Maybe on one or two occasions but even that is still unsatisfactory! Now, as the reports and allegations come bouncing to the surface like rotten eggs, the hapless comptroller has no other option but to resign and await arrest. Was it worth it Mr. Comptroller? You were recruited by the UPP Government prior to their being kicked out of office. Lucky for you, you were retained by Gaston Browne administration, and now look ya! You the UPP – selected Comptroller, find yourself at the center of a multi-million FRAUD SCANDAL at Customs allegedly involving known UPP Campaign car-dealing financiers, especially around election time. Boddu you cannot wriggle yourself out of this mess that YOU facilitated. Start talking now, Mr. BODDU, Maybe you’ll be lucky with a judge who might feel sorry for you and ask you to return the millions stolen from the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Your political financiers won’t be able to help you. In fact, being the scum bags they are reputed to be, they’ll readily throw you under the bus. Not sorry for you at all. This is how you and your political cronies planned to bring down Hon. Gaston Browne???? Didn’t you hear??? The man is blessed!
    Reply

  • Apex Jones October 19, 2025, 8:07 PM

    Innocent or guilty at least he seems to have taken accountability for his actions or inaction. Not sure if that’s speaks to integrity but at least he did more than the others have done
    Reply

    • Give thanks October 19, 2025, 8:17 PM

      I’m not defending anyone, but Customs has always been one of the most powerful departments and the most political. Every government fights with the Comptroller eventually
      Reply

    • Boardoh October 19, 2025, 8:23 PM

      The prime minister handled this too publicly. Of there was a problem deal with it internally first. Now the whole thing looks like political theater..
      Reply

  • Concerned Antiguan October 19, 2025, 8:23 PM

    The public deserves a full independent audit, not another internal government probe. Too many things get swept under the carpet in Antigua.
    Reply

    • #Stratetalk!!! October 21, 2025, 1:08 AM

      Thank You. If as they say, seems like Baddu is the only one to do wrong. What happen to the person signing off these cars. If I see higher up signature on paper, who m I to question it. Mr Baddu was doing his job. That all. U see here we tend not to look at the bigger picture n issues. We see RED n BLUE n that’s is why this little 268 suffering like hell. I am in my fifties, and Antigua still look the same from since me little. Nothing at all to uplift this country. I see other countries making major infrastructure in their territory using their CIP funds n other donations from China etc n Antigua seems to be going backwards. It is so sad!!!
      Reply

  • Donna October 19, 2025, 8:24 PM

    The man has fattened himself up and flies ✈️ out. Antigua was an easy target for him because we are easily fooled. I hope the Custom Controller will be now given to born Antiguans now. Let us handle our money affairs, port of cargo entry and stop letting outsiders do it.
    Reply

  • Brenda wallace October 19, 2025, 8:27 PM

    If the PM had lost confidence in him, fine but why let it reach this point where the man feels humiliated? Leadership is about compassion too.
    Reply

  • Queen Bee October 19, 2025, 8:28 PM

    To be fair, Browne said he confronted him personally. That’s more accountability than most leaders show. Maybe he’s just cleaning house.
    Reply

    • Anonymous October 21, 2025, 8:17 AM

      I shake my head in disbelief at some of the comments heŕe! No wonder Antigua is in such a bad state and known as the corruption capital of the world. Labour supporters open your eyes. It not about red and blue. Those who are blaming Baddu, and UPP for giving him the job in the first instance your not engaging your brain. This fraud and conspiracy is wide and sophiscated. Baddu, was not, and could not be alone in this. So start looking at your Labour politicians and employee.
      Reply

  • Donna October 19, 2025, 8:29 PM

    The man has fattened himself up and flies ✈️ out. Antigua was an easy target for him because we are easily fooled. I hope the Custom Controller will be now given to born Antiguans now. Let us handle our money affairs, port of cargo entry and stop letting outsiders do it. He was told by the people to remove him from that position long time. Who na feel hear!
    Reply

  • ET October 19, 2025, 8:30 PM

    The vehicle scandal just exposed how messy our procurement system is. Too many hands, too little transparency
    Reply

    • The Crime Minister October 19, 2025, 8:50 PM

      Me nah lie, da man sound hurt bad. When he seh he homeless after 23 years, that touch me. If he a tief, he nah do good at it
      Reply

  • Donna October 19, 2025, 8:35 PM

    Maybe he was the one who was forging the PM’s signature at Custom all the time.
    Reply

  • AM October 19, 2025, 8:45 PM

    This doesn’t make any sense to me. Mr. Boddu has been serving this country faithfully for over 10 years, and now they’re forcing him out over some SHADY vehicle thing? After everything he’s done for ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA while directing Customs? I remember back in 2020 when he stood up and said he’d die for this country. That’s the kind of dedication we need, not this political witch hunt nonsense. The man brought in millions in revenue, modernized the whole system, and now they want to blame him for what exactly? OR THEY JUST NEED SOMEONE TO GO “QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT” Mark my words, this is about politics, not performance. They’re probably trying to put their own person in there and needed an excuse. Mr. Boddu was doing his job TOO well, catching all those frauds and brokers stealing millions. Now suddenly he’s the problem? I don’t know all the details about these \”vehicle purchase breaches\” but I know this man’s character. He’s been nothing but professional and committed since day one. If there was an issue, I’m sure there’s more to the story that we’re not being told. This country has a bad habit of running good people out. We should be thanking Mr. Boddu for his service, not forcing his resignation. Antigua just lost a dedicated public servant over what sounds like a setup to me.
    Reply

    • Quontious!! October 21, 2025, 1:37 AM

      Thank You. We do need an independent investigation in this. Not just one person’s voice telling us this n that. Mr Boddu is not here to defend himself but I hope someone reaches out to him n get his side U know, what I see is this whole scenario backfied on the PM. He came n told the country about Broncos which the police force was inherited without Cabinet’s decision n someone just bust open the door on him. He knew about this too. Y did he made the transfers of the Junior Ministers? Is because he was in the know but he got caught with his pants down now cuz he wasn’t looking for this to be made public. The PM boasting that he knows so much about finance n he presiding over budgets after budget to the parliament n not once during his preparation, he saw these big spending in one area or this huge loop hole. Well if not, it now says alot about him as a finance man he boast of. What he needs to do is sit and do the work that the ppl of this country put him there to do n stop making a clown of himself. I said what I said cuz that’s exactly how I am feeling about this whole situation. When I travel, my passport say Antigua an Barbuda n nothing else. I feel it for my country. Always involve in corruption!!!
      Reply

  • Jana Henderson October 19, 2025, 8:49 PM

    @AM it was either Boduu or Maria Bird Browne. And well…I need say nothing else.
    Reply

  • Sparx4Dem October 19, 2025, 8:53 PM

    Let us hope this investigation does not conclude with a single resignation. Accountability must extend to the highest levels. This is a clarion call for Minister Maria Browne to resign.
    Reply

  • Unbiased October 19, 2025, 8:56 PM

    This entire issue highlights why Customs need to be depoliticized. The department should serve the law not the political will of the day
    Reply

  • Anonymous October 19, 2025, 9:02 PM

    This was done publicity which is not the best way to handle anything. I hope the PM is quick to deal with other departments heads the same way with no favouritism
    Reply

  • D Vaughn October 19, 2025, 10:03 PM

    The department is now full of uncertainty. People are afraid to make decisions because they don’t want to be the next one accused
    Reply

  • Tromos October 19, 2025, 10:26 PM

    The timing and circumstances are concerning. Citizens deserve transparency on what led to this exit.
    Reply

  • Informed citizen October 19, 2025, 10:33 PM

    To be fair, Boddu served a long time, but it’s hard to ignore that this resignation came right as the vehicle scandal blew up. Timing says a lot.
    Reply

  • Chole October 20, 2025, 10:29 AM

    When a man says he’s leaving to save his health, it means the stress was unbearable. Let’s not forget there are human beings behind these headlines
    Reply

  • Touche' October 20, 2025, 12:21 PM

    The PM driving away everything that is good from this country and seem to be clinging to what is bad
    Reply

  • Jussayin!!! October 21, 2025, 1:50 AM

    Mr Boddu’s travel to seek medical was not an departure. I believe because this whole thing that bust opened and the PM bullying cause his resignation. Pont blak!!!
    Reply

  • Questions October 21, 2025, 1:47 PM

    PM Browne quick fi talk bout corruption, but how them vehicle reach government hand so? Me want see de paper trail
    Reply

  • Lio October 21, 2025, 2:32 PM

    We need to hear from the other departments too Inland Revenue, Treasury, all of them. Customs can’t be the only one with ‘procedural breaches
    Reply

  • Anonymous October 22, 2025, 8:42 AM

    It’s amazing how quickly people turn. One week you’re the best Comptroller Antigua ever had, next week you’re the villain
    Reply

  • samuel October 27, 2025, 8:53 AM

    Amazing that the blame is pinned on the Customs Controller. EVERYONE KNOWS on the street that the link man in all of this is Gaston’s ambassador who haS FREE REIGN TO DO AS HE LIKES. Witness Hadeed , who for years and years has done this shgit and is doing it right now.
    Reply

  • shamel October 27, 2025, 8:59 AM

    AHHH BABBAAAA, the man who last years have multi millions in pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Reply

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