By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
The Comptroller –General of Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) Col. Hameed Ali (retd) came under fire yesterday in the Senate over his refusal to wear uniform since 2015 when he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This is as former Comptroller- Generals of Customs the incumbent CG, supposed to have been designated as Sole Administrator and not the Comptroller-General of Customs since he is not ready to wear uniform depicting the office and rank of that position”.
This assertion came during interactive session with the Senate Committee on Custom and Excise Duties and Customs management, Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria over impending amendment bill on operations of the revenue generating agency.
At the session, a member of the Committee, Senator Obinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi Central), challenged the Customs boss for being in mufti close to two years after his appointment, which to him, was highly demoralising to the officers and men of the agency.
“Mr. CG, this committee will like to know the reason you are still in mufti close to two years after your appointment as the Comptroller General of Nigeria custom service”, he fired.
But, Ali in his response said being a former military officer, tradition and in fact , statute , does not permit him to wear any other uniform again.
A response that infuriated another member of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) who reminded Customs CG that a retired general of the Nigerian Army in person of Halidu Hananiya, wore Federal Road Safety Corps uniform when appointed as Corp Marshall of the agency.
