Senate compels Customs CG Ali to appear unfailingly Thursday

The Senate has compelled the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, to comply with its early resolution which compelled him to  appear before it in Customs uniform over planned retrospective policy on import duties on cars across the country.

This followed a motion moved by George Sekibo and seconded by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at Wednesday plenary.

Relying on Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the upper legislative chamber threatened to issue a warrant for Ali’s arrest if he fails to appear before it on Thursday.

Section 89 (d) of the Constitution, which dwells on ‘Powers as to Matters of Evidence’ states that: “…The Senate shall have power to 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, refusal or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law”.

Earlier, a second letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, wherein the embattled Customs boss asked for more time and that he was bereaved, did not hold water, as lawmakers insisted that he must appear before them.

Also, a statement by Customs read by Saraki, that the controversial policy has been suspended pending consultations with stakeholders did not assuage senators, as Kabiru Marafa asked the Customs boss to withdraw the statement altogether.

According to him, the use of the word ‘Unnecessary tension’ used in the statement was a slap on the face of the Senate as an institution.

Ruling on the matter, Senate President Bukola Saraki asked Ali is to appear before the Senate by 10am Thursday.

Details later….