Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has said there was no law stating that the Comptroller-General of Customs must wear the Nigerian Custom Service’s uniform.
Falana in an interview with Punch said the Senate cannot compel Customs boss, Hameed Ali to wear uniform.
He added that Ali who is a retired general is not part of the customs service.
Falana said, “With respect to the customs service, its officers are required to wear uniforms. But since the CGC is not a serving customs officer the senate lacks the vires to force him to wear any uniform.
“The suit challenging the legal validity of Col. Hameed Ali’s appointment has been dismissed on the ground that the President has the power to appoint a non-customs officer to head the customs service. Since the court has held that he is not a customs officer, Col. Ali cannot be made to wear any uniform.
“I challenge the Senate to refer to any law that supports the wearing of uniform by the head of customs service, who is not a serving customs officer.”
He added that in other countries especially developed ones, customs officers do not wear uniforms.
He said, “In many countries, including South Africa, customs officers do not wear uniforms.
“In Nigeria they wear uniforms because under the defunct military junta security outfit under the defunct military junta security agencies claimed that they were either military or paramilitary forces. It was part of the intimidation of the civilian population.”
What Falana Is Saying Is Right
The Question is, is he doing his job well? If yes , then the senate should live him alone. They have alot to do not incessant confrontations. Melaye why???
Is there a law that says he shouldn’t? If he was summoned for a screening process by the Senate and asked to wear his uniform, would be have refused? The issue here is that a regulatory body and the highest legislative body in the land has instructed him to appear in the uniform of the body he superintends. He does not in my opinion have a choice in the matter. The only issue that should concern him now if he is as patriotic as he professes to be, is how his blatant disobedience affects younger officers in our armed and palamilitary forces.
Hmmmmmm this man self…. I tire for u….