The Comptroller General (CG) of Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali's decision not to appear before the Senate today after he was summoned last week, caused a storm during today's plenary as Senators react to his gross negligence.
Hameed Ali
While speaking at today's senate plenary during the briefing of Col. Hameed Ali, the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, Senator Dino Melaye, said that a court process cannot stop any form of government from carrying out Constitutional duties.
Recall that the CG who
was sent away last week for appearing in mufti, did not appear before the Senate on Wednesday for legal reason.
It was learnt that a maritime lawyer, Muhammed Ibrahim, had filed a lawsuit on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the senate’s decision. Malami on Tuesday wrote to the Senate “to stay all actions in the matter” to allow the court case to be concluded first.
During his presentation, Dino Melaye said that the position of the CG is a rank and anyone who occupies that rank is a civil servant as such Hameed "is not fit to be the CG of Customs" because according to the civil service rule, he has passed the civil service retirement age, and called on President Muhammdu Buhari to adhere to the rule of Law.
Senator Abaribe says that "Lest we forget", the CG made an obnoxious policy, it was in this process that we invited him to explain his policy, adding that it makes no sense for the CG to rush to court to secure a deliberate injunction.
Senator Olujimi says the Customs CG's action is breach of the Constitution and a grand display of arrogance, adding that such display by the CG only shows that he feels no reason to abide by the law.
Below are Tweets we culled from the Senate's handle;