Customs boss Ali shuns Senate, fails to appear (Updated)

Embattled Controller-General (CG) of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, on Wednesday, failed to appear before the Senate to defend why he refused to suspend action on the implementation of the controversial policy on duty on vehicles.

Ali based his failure to appear on a personal bereavement.

Col. Ali (retired) who was expected to brief the Senate today, instead, wrote a letter to the Senate President, intimating him of his reasons for not showing up to brief them.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, had moved the motion that the CG of NCS be invited into the chamber at about 11.18am.

The Senate has meanwhile resolved that he should appear tomorrow (Thursday) at plenary.

The Senate President, Saraki explained that he had a meeting with Col. Ali, but was silent on the refusal of Ali to honour the invitation of the Senate.

In his explanation, Saraki said he had a meeting with Col. Ali on Tuesday night, where they both agreed that the policy will be suspended, while consultations will be made with relevant stakeholders and the Nigerian public.

Soon after Saraki’s remarks, Senator Kabiru Marafa from Zamfara State, released the first salvo, when he suggested that the relevant portions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and  invoked to compel Col. Ali to appear.

Senator George Sekibo from Rivers State was more forceful in his remarks. Relying on Section 89 of the Constitution, Sekibo urged his colleagues to act in line with the provisions of the constitution.

He suggested: “This matter has gone beyond the Controller-General of Nigerian Customs Service. It has gone beyond the Senate. It is now about the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 88 and 89 of the Constitution is clear on the powers vested on the National Assembly to act.

Read also: It’s D-day! Customs boss Ali versus Senate, who blinks first?

“My suggestion is that, instead of oration, let us issue a warrant and compel him to come. Every other thing is unnecessary at this moment.”

Part of Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which was extensively quoted by Senator Sekibo reads: “The National Assembly can summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions.

“Or issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refused or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.

“A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require.”

Saraki was booed by Senators when he attempted to water down the position of the Senate. Saraki, while responding to Senator Sekibo’s contribution, pleaded that Col. Ali be invited at another date.

His voice was overwhelmed by a loud shout of ‘no’ from lawmakers.

Sekibo again spoke and added: “In line with Section 89, I rise to move that this Senate compels the CG of NCS to appear here at a given date. Specifically, he should appear tomorrow.”

The floor of the Senate became rowdy. At this point, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Olusola Adeyeye got up to second the motion, moved by Sekibo and also add his voice.

His voice was drowned by angry lawmakers who protested his suggestion to add to the position made by Sekibo. For about three minutes, Adeyeye and other lawmakers, were engaged in a shouting match.

Angered by the refusal of other lawmakers to allow him make his contribution, he withdrew his secondment of the motion and sat down afterwards.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu intervened at this moment. He explained: “I want to second this motion. In doing this, I want to tell Nigerians that this issue is not about the CG of Customs. This is about the rule of law. This is about plans by the NCS to harass Nigerians. It is not the duty of end users to pay duties on vehicles or rice imported. I strongly maintain that the CG of NCS must come to explain his position.”

Saraki in his final remarks, said: “This action by the Senate would have been easily avoided if these institutions of government had obeyed what we agreed on and what we all swore to obey. I hope that the CG of Customs will make himself available tomorrow to explain himself.”

The Senate and the CG of NCS have been engaged in a war of words over the suspended controversial policy.

 

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