Presidency Moves to Avert Face-off Between Senate and Customs CG

There were indications on Tuesday that the presidency waded in to avert a face-off between the Senate and the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.), over the controversial ultimatum issued to car owners and dealers nationwide to pay the duties on their vehicles between March 13 and April 12, 2019, or risk having their cars impounded.

ThisDay gathered that on getting wind of the impasse that has ensued between the Senate and Ali over his refusal to honour its invitation, President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned all his appointees against causing disaffection between him as the head of the executive arm of government and the National Assembly.

Buhari, a source in the presidency revealed, has cautioned his appointees to avoid any confrontations with the legislature that would pit it against the executive.

In this regard, the president was said to have directed Ali to honour the Senate’s summons to prevent an escalation of the stand-off between both sides.

The Senate last week summoned Ali over his refusal to stay action on the policy and directed him to appear in the full uniform of his rank as the CG of the Customs Service Wednesday.
However, Ali wrote to the upper legislative body informing it that he would not be able to honour the summons, as he was due to attend a fortnightly meeting of the NCS management.

The letter, read at plenary on Tuesday morning, drew the ire of the senators who stated that by asking a subordinate officer, Assistant CG, to respond to its formal invitation and sign on his behalf, Ali had disrespected the institution.

It was the media reports of the looming face-off as it unfolded on Tuesday that prompted the presidency to immediately step into the matter.

-ThisDay