The Senate on Thursday walked out the Customs Comptroller General, Col Hammed Ali from its chambers for not wearing uniform as directed.
The Senate further resolved that he should appear again next Wednesday in uniform, after the lawmakers took turns to chide the Customs boss, asking him to show good example to others.
“Coming was just one part of our invitation, another part is that you wear uniform. Why are you not in uniform?” Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, asked Ali, after he observed protocols.
Ali then craved the indulgence of Ekweremadu to refer to the letter forwarded to him on Wednesday. After reading the content of the letter, he said, “this letter did not connote that I should wear uniform.”
“My not wearing uniform does not breach any law. No law, to my knowledge, that compels me to wear uniform. There is no law that says in doing my service, I have to wear uniform.”
Responding, Ekweremadu said Wednesday’s letter was “further to the earlier letters which indicated that you should wear uniform. So this is a reminder.
“More importantly, this is official. We have expected military chiefs and the Inspector General of Police and they all wear uniform.
Contributing to the debate on the issue, Senator Ibn Na’Allah said the circular issued by the Customs CG stating to the Senate that he won’t wear his uniform is derogatory.
Na’Allah cited sections 7,8 &10 of the Customs Act which states that the Customs shares same privileges with police and other institutions.
Senator B Jibrin said the CG needs to go and apply the law of the land by wearing uniform before he addresses the Senate as stipulated in the constitution.
Faulting the refusal of the CG to wear uniform, Senator Yayi Adeola said anyone can wear the Customs uniform and appear as the Comptroller General.
Senator Ali Wakili however said the Senate should temper justice with mercy, noting that Ali “is a man of integrity”
Sen. Magnus Abe pleaded with the CG to wear his uniform to preserve the image of the Customs and perception of other institutions.
The motion to compel the CG to appear in uniform was moved by Senator George Sekibo and seconded by Senator Gemade who said it is respectable and important for the Customs boss to wear his uniform.
Follow Us
“
