by Dolapo Adelana

The Senate has ordered the Comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali to appear before it next Wednesday in his appropriate uniform.

This was part of deliberations at Thursday’s plenary.

The Senate had on Tuesday directed the service to halt the collection of custom duty on vehicles.

But the Acting Public Relations Officer of Customs, Joseph Attah, said the one month grace period was still in force despite the order of the senate.

Speaking on the matter on the floor of the chamber at plenary, Senator Dino Melaye cited order 42/45, after referencing a national daily which reported that the Customs was going ahead with duty collection.

He said the Customs was operating under its own laws as he demanded that the Customs CG should appear before the Senate in his uniform.

Senators Solomon Adeola, Kabir Marafa and Aliyu Wamakko all supported Melaye’s position that the CG appears before the Senate.

On his part, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan said the customs must make effort in securing the borders.

He urged his colleagues not to act based on newspaper reports, saying that the senate has always supported the Customs, as he called for a proper dialogue.

He added that any Government official that is asked to face the Senate must do so within the stipulated time.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said, “Government officials must respect the rule of law, if they undermine the Senate they are indirectly undermining the president.”

Another senator, Atai Aidiko, said, “It is painful if you buy a car, you are not a car dealer and they say your documents are fake and your car is impounded.”

“A lot of cars bought during the Xmas period were ceased along the Benin-Ore road and have not been returned till date,” Sen. Obina Ogba said.

On his part, Sen. Lanre Tejuosho queried the activities of the service.

He said, “Customs official killed two men from my constituency, we must look into the activities of the Customs”.

Speaking on the matter, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary said the upper legislative chamber must also fight impunity alongside corruption.

He directed the comptroller general to appear before the Senate in his appropriate uniform on Wednesday 15th of March, 2017.