The Senate has declared the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, unfit to hold any public office in Nigeria.
The Senate consequently called for his immediate resignation from the position of Customs CG.
This followed the anger expressed by senators after Hameed Ali failed to appear before senators today due to a pending court case on whether he should wear the Customs uniform to appear before senators.
Senators also condemned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, for writing the Senate, advising it not to consider Hameed Ali’s appearance today due to the court case.
The described the AGF’s action as an attempt to derail the Senate from carrying out its constitutional responsibility as enshrined in the constitution.
Senators also called for the total cancellation of the Customs policy on payment of vehicles duty while working out a measure for proper collection of duty at the point of entry.
They also resolved to send a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on their resolution for him to caution his appointees not to interfere in matters that do not concern them, especially issues that have to do with other arms of government.
The Senate will send the same resolution to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
This followed the anger expressed by senators after Hameed Ali failed to appear before senators today due to a pending court case on whether he should wear the Customs uniform to appear before senators.
Senators also condemned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, for writing the Senate, advising it not to consider Hameed Ali’s appearance today due to the court case.
The described the AGF’s action as an attempt to derail the Senate from carrying out its constitutional responsibility as enshrined in the constitution.
Senators also called for the total cancellation of the Customs policy on payment of vehicles duty while working out a measure for proper collection of duty at the point of entry.
They also resolved to send a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on their resolution for him to caution his appointees not to interfere in matters that do not concern them, especially issues that have to do with other arms of government.
The Senate will send the same resolution to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
Meanwhile, Senator Dino Melaye, at today’s senate plenary during the briefing of the Comptroller General (CG) of Nigerian Customs Service Col. Hameed Ali (retired), has said that a court process cannot stop any arm of Government from carrying out Constitutional duties.
The CG who was sent away last week for appearing in mufti, did not appear before the Senate today for legal reason.
A maritime lawyer, Muhammed Ibrahim, filed a lawsuit on Monday at the Federal High Court Abuja against the senate’s decision.
Malami yesterday wrote to the Senate “to stay all actions in the matter” to allow the court case to be concluded first.
Dino during his presentation said that the position of the CG is a rank and anyone who occupies that rank is a civil servant as such Hameed “is not fit to be the CG of Customs” because according to the civil service rule he has passed the civil service retirement age.
He called on the president Muhammdu Buhari to adhere to the rule of Law.
Senator Abaribe said “Lest we forget” The CG made an obnoxious policy; it was in this process that we invited him to explain his policy.
He further stated that it makes no sense for the CG to rush to court to secure a deliberate injunction.
Senator Olujimi says the Customs CG action is breach of the Constitution and a grand display of arrogance.
She added that such display by the CG only shows that he feels no reason to abide by the law.
What the Senators said-
Sen. @dino_melaye asks “Can the Court Process Stop any form of Government from carrying out Constitutional duties?”.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 22, 2017
Sen. @dino_melaye says it is not a Court injunction, not an order; it’s a mere Court Process. The position of CG @CustomsNG is a rank and…
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 22, 2017
…anyone occupying it is a Public Servant. He invokes the Public Service Rule. #TodayInPlenary
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 22, 2017
Senator @SenatorAbaribe further stated that it makes no sense for the CG @CustomsNG to rush to court to secure a deliberate injunction.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 22, 2017
Senator Olujimi says the @CustomsNG action is breach of the Constitution and a grand display of arrogance.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 22, 2017
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