Home LOCAL Hameed Ali appears before Senate in mufti, sent back

Hameed Ali appears before Senate in mufti, sent back

559
1

The Senate on Thursday turned back the Comptroller  General (C-G) of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) for appearing  in mufti.

Senators by  a voice vote directed  him to return to the senate on Wednesday, March 22 in proper uniform designated for the office  of Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service.

Shortly before the resolution, some senators expressed concern over  Ali’s defiance of the  National Assembly by appearing in mufti despite the letter sent to him, specifying that he should  appear in uniform.

The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala N’Allah said letters were sent to the C-G to appear before the senate to give explanations on  the proposed  duty payment on vehicles imported into Nigeria.

He further expressed his disappointment with the C-G, who in a response to the invitation letter,  said that the National Assembly should not be concerned about whether he wears the uniform, once he performs his duties.

N’Allah said the response was a slap on the Senate, as an institution.

N’Allah  who quoted Section 10 of the Customs Act, among other sections, said the section was clear about  punishment for unlawful behaviour of any officer, “including any person who assumes the name, designation or character of an officer.

READ ALSO  Suspend NYSC camps for 24 months, post corps members to PPA - Osibanjo's committee tells FG

“The Act further states that  the power to prosecute is that of executive and  certain officers including CG has  that power.

“This implies that your position is statutory, meaning you must conform to the Act.

“Besides, wearing uniform is anchored in the Constitution.

On the C-G’s excuse that he was seeking  legal advice on  the insistence of the senate that he should wear uniform, the deputy leader of the senate said the C-G ought to have sought  legal advice before deciding not to wear uniform.

He said the senate, as the highest law making institution, would not allow anybody to ridicule it, even though it remains supportive of  President Muhammadu Buhari’s  good intentions for the country.

Sen. Barau Jibrin(APC-Kano) said there was no need to subject the disobedience of the C-G to a long discussion.

According to him, the house should vote to insist that he goes back and “comply by wearing uniform before appearing here.’’

Sen. Solomon Adeola(APC-Ogun)  said it was only proper for  the C-G  to comply, adding that  it was a matter of concern that he was not proud wearing Customs uniform.

READ ALSO  APC Celebrates as Appeal Court affirms Sekibo’s sack from senate

“All other persons that followed him here are fully dressed in the Customs uniform.

“With what is happening, anybody  can wear anything and  present him or herself the Comptroller General. So, I don’t know who is standing here before us.

His car and aircraft carry the official logo of Customs but he wears mufti.

Sen. Ali Wakili  said he had met with the C-G before now.

He suggested that since he was not ready to wear uniform, his title should be changed to “Sole Administrator.’’

He however appealed  to the senate to allow him and other lawmakers interface with the Ali on the matter.

The Customs boss said the senate  letter dated March, 15 did not stipulate he wear a  uniform before appearing.

He further said he was already seeking legal interpretation to the wearing of uniform.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary said it was proper for the C-G to wear uniform as a form of motivation for other officers.

He also explained to him, that though the letter dated March 5 did not indicate the wearing of uniform, the condition  was included in previous letters. Ekweremadu said Ali did not have a good  excuse to defy the senate..

READ ALSO  Senate list PIB, Jungle Justice, Existing Vacancies Bills as top priorities ahead of resumption

“Section 2 of the Customs Act defines the officer to include C-G.

“I believe too that there  are certain things officers take for granted which is wearing uniform. They should learn from you.

“With your refusal to wear uniform, they can also  refuse to wear uniform, saying  there is no law that compels them to wear uniform.

“There is no better  teacher than living by example.

“Also, you  suspended the vehicle policy. It does not mean you will not come back to it, since it is only a suspension.

He said the senate was of the view that he return to the senate in the  proper uniform of C-G of Customs.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.