The Senate has compelled the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to appear before the upper legislative body tomorrow Thursday 16th March.
This is coming just as the Customs boss stated in a letter he wrote to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, that the controversial policy on car import tariff policy has been put on hold.
After reading the Customs’ boss letter at plenary on Wednesday, Senators took turns to berate Ali for failing to honour the invitation, describing the action as unacceptable.
Ali had cited “recent bereavement” for his inability to honour the invitation extended to him by the legislative body.
Speaking at plenary on Wednesday, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zanfara) described Ali’s action as an affront and a slight on the Senate.
Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu said it’s not the duty of vehicle end users to pay customs duties on the vehicles they purchase.
According to him, policies must not be framed in such manners that would oppress the Nigerian people and the Senate would like to ensure that such policies make sense.
Some of the senators insisted that the Customs chief must wear uniform or resign from the service.
They cited instances where ex-military chiefs proudly wore uniforms of paramilitary organisations when they were appointed to head same.
Many of the lawmakers also spoke in similar vein, with Saraki reminding the Customs chief that nobody is above the law.
Senator Thompson Sekibo (Rivers) argued that Ali’s action warranted the invocation of Section 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowered the Senate to issue warrants to compel officials to appear before it.
Consequently, the Senate invoked Section 89 of the Constitution against Ali, insisting that the Customs chief must appear before it at 10 am. However, the lawmakers did not insist that Ali must appear in uniform.
(The Nation)
