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

It is no longer news that all is not well between the Senate and the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).

The on-going war  of words between the duo over the refusal of Col. Ali -led NCS to maintain status ante on implementation of collection of duties on old and new vehicles in the country, may reach a crescendo today, Wednesday, 15th March, 2017.

Last week, the Upper Legislative Chamber issued a directive to the CG of NCS, but Ali called the lawmakers bluff and resolved to go ahead with the implementation of the controversial policy.

Col. Ali was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 to head the nation’s revenue generating agency. He is the second outsider to be appointed as head of NCS since the agency was created.

As Customs boss, Ali has courted a number of controversies and has been accused of initiating anti-people policies. Last year, he spear-headed the ban on  importation of rice into the country, despite a loud public outcry.

In 2016 also, he pursued another policy that banned the importation of used vehicles to the country through land borders. Again, Ali refused to shift ground and has called everyone’s bluff over the unpopular policy.

Ali has also been enmeshed in other controversies, the latest being his refusal to wear the Service’s uniforms as prescribed by the Act setting up NCS.

In the new controversy which is expected to take centre stage today when Ali is billed to appear before 108 Senators, lawmakers’ ability to bark and bite will be tested by their decision.

Read also: Negotiating the impossible: Hameed Ali vs the Senate

Observers are of the view that the Senate may just settle for the retired army officer to send a strong message to the executive by using Col. Ali as a scapegoat, and other heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will follow suit. They fear that the once-revered institution will be finally rubbished.

Col. Ali, despite the clear provisions of the law, has vowed not to wear his Service uniforms to the Senate when he appears.

According to Regulation 31 of the Customs and Excise (Preventive) Service Regulations of 1963, a subsidiary legislation preserved by the Customs and Excise Management Act, “clothing and equipment shall be such pattern and worn in such manner as the Board shall determine.” In line with this portion of the Act, observers hold the strong view that the Senate’s instruction that Ali must appear in uniform is in order.

Again, Regulation 13, Second Schedule of the Customs and Excise (Preventive) Service Regulations which deals with offences provides in S.38 that “Any act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline though not herein specified is an offence and shall suffer punishment according to the nature and degree of the offence.”

Ali had written to the Senate to inform the lawmakers that he has another meeting for the day and would not be able to honor their invitation.
He asked that the meeting be fixed for another date, but the lawmakers, who were further annoyed by his submission insisted that he must appear at plenary today Wednesday.

After plenary on Tuesday, Ali paid an unscheduled visit to the Senate where he met with the Senate president, Bukola Saraki. Although details of the meeting were not made public, Ali told reporters that he may seek legal action as to the insistence of the lawmakers that he must appear before them in Customs uniform.

Ali, in an interview, appeared to be grandstanding still. He blatantly told the Senate in a chat with TVC that it should be more concerned about his performance and not his uniform.

Senator Solomon Adeola who represents Lagos West, has however said that the Senate resolution summoning the NCS Ali to appear in Customs Service Uniform to explain his refusal to suspend the policy on duty on vehicles and other recent acts of the Customs, was to protect the organizational integrity of the institution.

Obviously, the stage is set for a showdown: the question on peoples  lips are; will Ali appear before the Senate today, if he does, will he wear the customs uniform?

Will the senate give in to Ali if he appears but refuses to wear the uniform? Or, will he be sent away?

The answers will be provided today, as Nigerians watch this raging ‘war’ with rapt attention

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