The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), retired Col Hameed Ali, was bashed and sent away by senators today as he appeared before them, again, in his controversial mufti.
Ali’s appearance without uniform, after his failure to appear on Wednesday, was contrary to the resolution of the Senate which asked that he must wear ‘appropriate’ uniform to brief them over the now suspended policy on duty payment.
The Senate unanimously resolved to drive away Ali, following George Sekibo’s motion.
The Senate further resolved that he should appear again next Wednesday in uniform, after the lawmakers took turns to chide him.
“Coming was just one part of our invitation; another part is that you wear uniform. Why are you not in uniform?” Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, asked Ali, after he observed protocols.
Ali craved the indulgence of Ekweremadu to refer to the letter forwarded to him on Wednesday.
After reading the content of the letter, he said, “This letter did not connote that I should wear uniform.”
Responding, Ekweremadu said Wednesday’s letter was “further to the earlier letters which indicated that you should wear uniform. So this is a reminder”.
He added, “More importantly, this is official. We have expected military chiefs and the Inspector General of Police and they all wear uniform.”
Ali said, “My not wearing uniform does not breach any law. No law, to my knowledge, that compels me to wear uniform. There is no law that says in doing my service, I have to wear uniform.”
Deputy Leader, Bala Na’Allah, drawing from the customs and excise law, argued that there is law that compels Ali to wear uniform.
He said the customs chief was oblivious of the law, adding: “I am happy you said you needed legal opinion.”
“I regret his grandstanding,” Aliyu Wakil (APC-Bauchi), former customs officer said.
Olamilekan Solomon (APC-Lagos), Barnabas Gemade (APC-Benue) and Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) also chided Ali and insisted he must wear uniform.
After the resolution, Ekweremadu explained that Section 2 of the customs law provides that all officers, including comptroller-general, must wear uniform.
“As number one officer, you should lead by example,” Ekweremadu said.
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