The Senate has called for the resignation of the Comptroller-General
of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali.
The lawmakers said on Wednesday that Mr. Ali was not fit to hold public office.
The call follows Mr. Ali’s decision not to appear before the lawmakers
in uniform on Wednesday as directed by the Senate.
The Customs boss told reporters on Tuesday that his decision not to
appear was based on legal advice after a Nigerian filed a case in
court seeking the interpretation of a Customs law on uniform for the
Comptroller-General.
The Senate on Wednesday rejected the letter by the Attorney General of
the Federation, Abubakar Malami, asking the lawmakers to suspend
discussion on Mr. Ali.
Mr. Malami’s letter was read by the Clerk to the Senate at the plenary
on Wednesday, just as the lawmakers dissolved into committee of the
whole to receive briefing from Mr. Ali.
Mr. Ali and the lawmakers have been at loggerheads over a Customs
policy on retrospective payment of customs duty on vehicles.
Although the Customs Service has since suspended the directive, the
lawmakers still insisted Mr. Ali appears before them in uniform. The
retired army colonel has not worn the Customs uniform since he was
appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.