The Senate has resolved to compel the Customs comptroller General, Retired Colonel Hameed Ali, to appear before the Senate on Thursday.
This is inspite of another letter written by the Customs CG to the Senate President Bukola Saraki at a meeting which held on Tuesday evening.
In the letter from the Customs boss, he explained that the retrospective policy on import duties on vehicles has been put on hold.
The Customs CG also stated that he is unable to appear before the Senate on Wednesday because he is bereaved.
He also in the letter addressed the issue of his refusal to wear the Customs uniform as directed by the Senate explaining that he is seeking legal advise on the issue.
He is advising the Senate to also avail itself of the legal basis on its decision to compel him to wear the uniform.
However the new letter has angered lawmakers who are accusing the Customs CG of disrespecting the Senate.
A federal lawmaker Senator George Sekibo is asking the Senate to use section 89 to compel the customs CG to appear on tomorrow Thursday.
Section 89 refers to issuing an arrest warrant to compel an individual to appear before the Senate.
The Senate consequently resolved to compel the Customs CG in line with section 89 of the constitution to appear before it on Thursday.
Senate Summons Customs CG To Appear In Uniform
This follows the uproar that greeted the Customs Service’s new directive on duties to be paid on imported vehicles which is yet to be abated.
While Nigerians have expressed concerns on the issue, their representatives in the Senate are livid over the insistence of the Nigerian Customs Service to go ahead with the policy.
The Senate had earlier in a resolution, asked the Comptroller General to shelve the plan until he appeared before its committee, they however, now want him to appear in uniform.
Senate Insists On Customs Boss Appearing Before Lawmakers
However, the Customs CG had written a letter to the Senate informing lawmakers of his Inability to appear before the Senate at plenary on Wednesday, because of a routine management meeting of the Customs Service.
He asked the Senate to postpone the interaction to a later time.
But the Senate rejected the letter describing it as a slight to it and insisting that the Customs CG must appear unfailingly at plenary on Wednesday.
