"Customs now acts like gangster" - Senate. Summons Customs boss, says he 'must appear in uniform'

“Custom officers now act like gangsters under the leadership of Hameed Ali”, says Senator Olamilekan.

Customs’ boss must appear in uniform.

Hameed Ali (Comptroller NCS)

The Senate has conveyed their discontentment over the services of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) under the management of Hammed Ali, its comptroller general.

On Tuesday, March 7, the Senate ordered the Customs Service to halt its proposal to seize all vehicles with unpaid import duty. However, the agency ignored the order and says it would go on with its plan even with the resolution of the Legislature.

In this respect, on Thursday, March 9, Senator Dino Melaye noted that the Customs has continually disregarded the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Melaye said: “The senate will take a resolution and an agency of government will have the temerity, will have the guts and strength to blatantly disregard the Nigerian senate. It is a very dark day for democracy.

“I'm a member of the customs committee, I want to educate some of us today, the position of CGC is rank. I asked him in the committee why he is not wearing uniform rank and he said ‘uniformed men don't wear uniform twice’.

“I reminded him that he retired as a colonel and General Ananiah retired as a general and was appointed as the corps marshal of the FRSC, we were proudly the uniform of the Road Safety.

“If we are taking a decision of the people and agency disrespects the Nigerian senate, however we will need to check this properly. If they are taking duty on Nigerian road but if the president is passing no customs officer will stop him and ask for papers, they will salute and the president’s convoy will pass.

"Same with me as a Senator. But it is the people who will suffer if the excesses of the Customs are not checked.”

In the same way, Senator Adeola Olamilekan said that the Customs boss has been acting as if he is the Commander-in-Chief of the country, further saying that Customs officers now operate like ‘gangsters’.

Olamilekan said: “I think it is high time we check the level of high-handedness of the comptroller of customs because he is acting is acting like he is the commander in chief of the country.”

“The issue of uniform is an insult to the Nigerian customs if you are the head of customs and you cannot wear uniform. You take salute, parade, wearing mufti.  I feel this is an insult to the customs agency.

“Customs officers now act like a gangster. He is performing below par; it will not be out of place of we recommend for his removal. But let's wait for him to appear in plenary first in uniform.”

Senator Lanre Tejuoso also reported that two members of his constituent were murdered by Customs officers.

On these notes, the Senate resolved that the comptroller General of Customs must appear before the Senate in his proper uniform nextweek Wednesday, March 15, 2017.