Tag Archives: Hammed Ali

Impending drama as Senate insists Hameed Ali must appear before it.

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The Senate appears set for a showdown with the Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, after lawmakers rejected Mr. Ali’s plan not to appear before them on Wednesday.

Mr. Ali had earlier on Tuesday informed the Senate that he would not appear as scheduled as he had an event already slated for the same day.

The Senate wants him to explain the Customs’ planned clampdown on vehicles that have no duty clearance.

But senators rejected his excuse, with Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan saying it was not acceptable.

“The integrity of the Senate is being tested,” said James Manager, PDP-Delta, who also picked hole in the way the letter was addressed.

Members approved a vote called by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to reject Mr. Ali’s letter, and therefore mandated him “to appear in uniform tomorrow (Wednesday as scheduled) by 10:30 AM“.

The Senate summoned Mr. Ali over Customs’ plan to impound vehicles that have no import duty clearance. It specifically asked him to appear in uniform.

But on Friday, Mr. Ali defended the plan, and said he was only going to honour the Senate’s summon if the invitation.

“I was not appointed Comptroller General to wear uniform,” he said.

Mr. Ali, a retired colonel, was appointed Customs chief in 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari, becoming the second to be so appointed from outside the service.

Under former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, Bello Haliru was also appointed head of Customs from outside the service.

 

Source: Premium Times

Senate orders CG Hameed Ali to appear before it wearing a Customs uniform

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The Senate has ordered the Comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali to appear before it next Wednesday in his appropriate uniform.

This was part of deliberations at Thursday’s plenary.

The Senate had on Tuesday directed the service to halt the collection of custom duty on vehicles.

But the Acting Public Relations Officer of Customs, Joseph Attah, said the one month grace period was still in force despite the order of the senate.

Speaking on the matter on the floor of the chamber at plenary, Senator Dino Melaye cited order 42/45, after referencing a national daily which reported that the Customs was going ahead with duty collection.

He said the Customs was operating under its own laws as he demanded that the Customs CG should appear before the Senate in his uniform.

Senators Solomon Adeola, Kabir Marafa and Aliyu Wamakko all supported Melaye’s position that the CG appears before the Senate.

On his part, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan said the customs must make effort in securing the borders.

He urged his colleagues not to act based on newspaper reports, saying that the senate has always supported the Customs, as he called for a proper dialogue.

He added that any Government official that is asked to face the Senate must do so within the stipulated time.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said, “Government officials must respect the rule of law, if they undermine the Senate they are indirectly undermining the president.”

Another senator, Atai Aidiko, said, “It is painful if you buy a car, you are not a car dealer and they say your documents are fake and your car is impounded.”

“A lot of cars bought during the Xmas period were ceased along the Benin-Ore road and have not been returned till date,” Sen. Obina Ogba said.

On his part, Sen. Lanre Tejuosho queried the activities of the service.

He said, “Customs official killed two men from my constituency, we must look into the activities of the Customs”.

Speaking on the matter, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary said the upper legislative chamber must also fight impunity alongside corruption.

He directed the comptroller general to appear before the Senate in his appropriate uniform on Wednesday 15th of March, 2017.

 

Source: YNaija

I’ll Ensure Corrupt Customs Officers Get 10 Years In Jail — Comptroller-General

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The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) , retired Col. Hameed Ali, on Tuesday warned that any customs officer caught involved in corrupt practice, would serve the maximum 10-year jail term prescribed by law.
Ali gave the warning in Sokoto when he addressed customs officers of Sokoto/Zamfara/ Kebbi Area Command.
“The minimum jail term for corrupt officers is five years, but I will make sure that any officer found to be corrupt gets the maximum jail term of 10 years.
“This is to serve as a deterrent to any officer who finds himself in the Customs to make money and not to earn money .
“I am not saying that there are no good, incorruptible officers in the service, but there are few bad eggs who are giving the service a bad name, ” Ali said.
The CGC also cautioned the officials against indiscipline and living above their means.
“Our work ethics must change to be in tune with the change mantra as championed by President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Ali advised the customs personnel to make integrity , honesty and transparency their watch words.
”You should all do this to minimize the chances of getting into trouble, except those who are criminally minded.”
The CGC explained that the task before him was to reform the service, raise revenue, and improve the welfare of personnel.
He therefore urged the officers and men to strive to block all areas of revenue leakages, saying that the service would use part of the revenue to provide offices and residential accommodation for them.
Ali assured them that, henceforth, there would be no favouratism in promotions, transfers and postings.

 

(NAN)