Secretary the the Government of the Federation SGF, Senator George Akume, disclosed this in a statement issued Monday in Abuja.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect”, the SGF stated.

Tinubu consequently appointed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser; Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

President Tinubu also approved the following appointments: Col. Adebisi Onasanya, Commander, Brigade of Guards; Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf, 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja; Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State; Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim, 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger state; and, Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote, 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Similarly, the President has approved the appointments of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows: Maj. Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695), Commanding Officer, State House Artillery; Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183), Second-in-Command, State House Artillery; Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656), Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence; Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament; and, Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578), Second-in- Command, State House Armament.

Akume added that the president also approved the appointments of two additional Special Advisers, and two Senior Assistants.

The appointees are Hadiza Bala Usman, as Special Adviser, Policy Coordination; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy; Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate); and, Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

“Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs.

“It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the SGF added.

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Receiving members of the Buhari Support Organisations (BSO) led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, at the Presidential Villa, the President urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and ensure that only “people of conscience are in-charge of governance at all levels,” as the nation prepares for general elections in 2019.

“I challenge anybody to check from Europe, America and Asia; between 1999-2014, Nigeria was producing 2.1 million barrels of crude oil per day at an average cost of $100 per barrel and it went up to $143.

“When we came it collapsed to $37 – $38 and later was oscillating between 40 and $50.

“I went to the CBN Governor, with my cap in my hand, and asked if we had savings. He told me we had only debts, no savings. Some of the roads were not repaired since the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days.

“I don’t care the opinion you have about Abacha but I agreed to work with him and we constructed roads from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin to Onitsha and so on. We also touched education and health institutions.

“One of the former Heads of State was bragging that he spent more than $15 billion on power in Nigeria. Where is the power?” the President said.

On the mismanagement of the economy by previous administrations, President Buhari noted that the perpetrators lacked imagination and plans for the development of the nation.

“Sometimes, I wonder about those who can afford to send their children abroad for studies and yet continue to sabotage the economy, I wonder what kind of Nigeria they want their children to return to and work. There is a lot of lack of imagination.

“If you are working for the country, then you shouldn’t be misappropriating and misapplying public funds the way people did,” he said.

The President noted that under his watch, the 2016 and 2017 budgets recorded the highest appropriation and releases in capital projects, with over N2.8 trillion disbursements in two years.

The President urged Nigerians to reject those bent on dividing the country along religious and ethnic lines, warning that they do not mean well for the country.

“I have said severally that we do not have any other country than Nigeria and we will remain here and salvage it together.

“We have nothing to regret. Absolutely nothing. God has given Nigeria everything. We are rich in human and material resources. Let us keep on praying to God to put people of conscience in-charge at all levels,’’ he said.

On the activities of the support group, President Buhari apologised for not rallying them before announcing his intention to seek re-election in 2019 during a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress on April 9, 2018.

He thanked members of the group for their resolute support to him as a Presidential candidate in 2015 and all through his term in office, adding that their voluntary sacrifices were an indication of their trust and belief in the great future of the country.

In his remarks, Ali said the group and majority of Nigerians are passionate about a second-term for President Buhari because of his integrity, honesty, love and patriotism.

He noted that President Buhari has entrenched fiscal discipline and prudent management of resources, improved the nation’s security and delivered on his promise to revamp agriculture, as a major revenue earner for the country.

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A statement from the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, Joseph Attah, said the redeployment was also in line with the ongoing reforms in the service, adding that it would also assist to check smuggling and block revenue leakages in the country.

Some of those affected, according to the statement include M. J. Madugu, who was redeployed from Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara to the Ogun Command; E. A. Udo-aka, who was moved from Investigation to Oyo/Osun Command; and K. Isiyaku, who was redeployed from Tariff and Trade to Port Harcourt 1, among others.

“In a major re-jigging of the service for effective and efficient service delivery the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), has approved the redeployment of 48 comptrollers of Customs.

“The redeployment is in line with the ongoing reforms of the service,” it said.

The statement added that the comptroller-general’s compliance team had been disbanded and a new team reconstituted.

The new compliance team, it added, was divided into three teams for the western axis, northern axis and eastern axis.

It said they were to complement the Federal Operations Units in order to vigorously crack down on all forms of smuggling activities nationwide, with particular focus on the enforcement of non-importation of rice and vehicles through the land borders.

The statement added, “The new CGC’s compliance team will be co-ordinated by Comptroller Azarema A. A., who before now has been the comptroller, license and permit, at the NCS headquarters.

“While effecting these changes, the CGC expressed his determination to strategically reposition the service as a crucial contributor to the success story of the nation.”

While calling on all stakeholders to provide the needed information for the operatives to nip smuggling activities in the bud, the statement quoted Ali to have said, “Revenue leakages must be blocked; the nation needs all collectable revenue.”

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Dan Ugo, a Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, told newsmen in Lagos that the two helicopters and accessories, valued at N9.7 billion, were impounded at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport.

“The consignment was detained at SAHCOL cargo shed. Upon examination, the consignment was found to contain two civil models of Bell Helicopters 412 EP, with serial numbers 36608 and 36606.

“The consignment also contains 23 packages of accessories, weighing 11,475kg,” the customs boss said.

He said that the two helicopters and other accessories were seized because the importer could not provide End User Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Ugo said that the importer had contravened Section 36 (2) of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

According to him, the consignment, which was impounded on Nov. 7, 2016, had a Duty Paid Value of N9, 757,135,240.86.

“This equipment was seized because the importer contravened the Customs Act. The Comptroller General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, in appreciation of the roles of Air Force has directed that the equipment should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.

“When we make seizures, we go through legal process by approaching the court of competent jurisdiction to file for condemnation and forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which had been done.

“This falls within the purview of the Nigerian Air Force which will put it to use maximally to protect us as a nation,” Ugo said.

He called for continuous synergy between the customs and other government agencies for the safety and security of the nation and commended the customs officers who made the seizure and assured them of continued moral support from the customs service.

Air Commodore Hyacinth Eze received the consignment on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.

While commending the Customs for the job well done, Eze said “The handing over of these helicopters by Nigerian Customs would go a long way to assist the force.”

Eze said that the actual physical examination of the consignment would be done at Nigerian Air Force Base.

Also speaking, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), MMIA command Comptroller Frank Allanah, said that the command generated N55.5 billion between January and December 2016, compared to N42.7 billion collected in the corresponding period of 2015.

Allanah said that the N12.8 billion increase in revenue was recorded in spite of decline in cargo throughput from 76.9 metric tonnes in 2015 to 64.63 metric tonnes in 2016.

He said that the command, in 2016, also made seizures of elephant tusks and foreign currencies.

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The appointment of two other Officers have been terminated for absence from duty while one Officer was retired for drug addiction.

Investigations into offences committed by the Officers in the senior category are now being concluded. Officers found guilty are expected to face similar stiff penalties.

These disciplinary measures, according to a statement by Wale Adeniyi, Customs Public Relations Officer, were taken after series of investigations and deliberations by the disciplinary committee and recommendations were made to the Management.

“This process is a continuation of the reform agenda the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) promised upon his assumption of office which emphasized discipline, good conduct and transparency.”

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The Public Relations Officer of customs, Wale Adeniyi, who made this known in an interview in Abuja, said the restriction was only applied at land border stations before now, adding that the customs boss had lifted restriction on rice at border stations.

Adeniyi said that all rice imports through land borders by rice traders would attract the prevailing import duty of 10 per cent with 60 per cent levy.

He added that rice millers (preferential levy) with valid quota allocation would also attract duty rate of 10 per cent with 20 per cent levy on rice importation.

“Over the years importation has been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.

“When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken it was not an effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using different means of conveyance including small trucks, bicycles and even animals – putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads.

“These new measures will be for customs to re-organise their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty.”

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Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) gave the approval for the reversal of an earlier policy in October 2015 which allowed rice imports through the land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.

At a review session held with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units held in Abuja, the Service noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports through the Land borders do not match the volume rice landed in neighboring Ports.

Rather, reports from Border commands indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling.

Implementation of the restriction order got off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October 2015, but revenue started dwindling from January 2016, with importers blaming access to forex as major impediments.

During the five-month period when the importation was allowed October 2015-March 17th 2016, a total of 24.992 Metric Tonnes of Rice valued at N2.3 billion was imported through the land borders.

During the period, total revenue generated amounted to N1.68 billion. This is considerably lower than the revenue projected to be generated with the removal of import restrictions.

However, an upsurge in the number of the seizures has been reported across the land borders since January 2016. In the first two months of the 2016, a total of 9238 bags were seized, with Duty Paid Value of N64.6 million was made by the Customs anti-smuggling patrol teams of Federal operations and Border commands.

Comptroller-General of Customs noted that his Officers and Men cannot be totally exonerated from the abuse associated with the implementation of the order on rice, as his office has been inundated with reports of collusion between them and Rice importers.

He has directed investigation into the reports, insisting that indicted personnel will be sanctioned.

While directing a zero-tolerance to rice imports through the land borders irrespective of volume with immediate effect, he stated that importers who have already initiated import processes will have a grace period ending Friday 25, March 2016 to clear their consignments.

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The Minister made this pledge during a one-day inspection of Customs facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday.

Adeosun, who was accompanied by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Alli, lamented that one of the reasons for the consistent drop in revenue collected by Customs is the use of outdated equipment.

She also faulted the absence of modern container scanning equipment at the nation’s airports, seaports and land borders, explaining that one of the major means of detecting contraband goods at these borders is through the deployment of container scanners.

She reiterated the determination of the current administration to boost revenue through the provision of enabling tools and equipment that will aid the various revenue agencies.

According to her, the use of obsolete equipment negatively impacts revenue collected by the agency and promotes inefficiency.

She therefore pledged that the Federal Government would as a matter of priority ensure that all the outdated equipment being used by Customs in the discharge of their duties at the nation’s airports is overhauled. Government, she said, would ensure the provision of modern equipment, in line with international best practices.

She said scanners and other equipment would be procured to enhance the operations of Customs.

The Minister said the new equipment would promote trade facilitation and increase the revenue generating capacity of Customs.

In his remarks, Col Alli said the equipment needed for the nation’s international airports would cost N20 billion.

He said the Customs Command will soon meet with the minister to discuss the funding requirement of Customs in detail and he expressed confidence that with the support of the minister, the problem will soon be fixed.

He said the new equipment would streamline the work of officers and boost the efficiency of collections.

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Consequently, the NCS confirmed that it is setting up four different committees to handle the disposal of these categories of goods. The committees include an Assessment Committee, Disposal Committee, Seizure Committee and Overtime Committee.

According to the new guidelines signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd), perishable items with or without defendants are to be properly disposed of by the relevant committee.

For goods classified as general goods, the new guidelines stated that these are to be disposed of after condemnation by a competent court of law: “Condemnation shall be done after 30 days of seizure, so far as there is no notice of claim or litigation.”

The guidelines also stipulated that all overtime cargoes are to be published in the Federal Government’s gazette when they fall due over 30 days.

Under the new dispensation, the NCS will advertise information on seized and overtime goods for disposal with their reserve prices in the media and on its official website.

The authorities enjoined interested buyers to apply online, specifying items of interest to the committee on disposal, adding that applications must be accompanied with an approved means of identification such as a National Identity card, International Passport or Driver’s Licence, in addition to a recent passport photograph scanned onto the dedicated portal on the website.

The guidelines further explained that successful applicants will be required to make payment within 14 days of notification through designated banks at the area commands where the goods are domiciled.

Any returns on disposals would need to be rendered to the Comptroller-General not later than 21 days after completion of each exercise. The NCS however pointed out that the Disposal Committee, subject to the approval of the Comptroller-General, might use its discretion in handling peculiar cases.

The Assessment Committee shall consist of not less than five officers of high integrity including valuation officers at all area commands supervised by the Zonal Co-ordinator.

The committee shall undertake inspection, collation and fixing of prices of all goods on monthly basis and is to forward its report to the Auction Committee. The guidelines also tasked the Seizure Committee and Overtime Committee with the responsibility of handling the disposal of overtime and seized goods.

“The Seizure Committee shall comprise of representatives of all departments of the NCS, including representatives of headquarters not below the rank of assistant controllers or its equivalent,” the guidelines stated.

The Overtime Committee on the other hand will be made up of 16 members and consist of the Assistant Comptroller General Enforcement, representatives from Director, Legal (NCS), Federal Ministry of Finance, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, civil organization, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and a representative from the Accountant General of the Federation’s office.

Others include a representative each from the National Security Adviser, Directorate of Security Services, Valuation (NCS), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nigeria Ports Authority, Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Standards Organisation of Nigeria and Chief of Defence Staff.

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The directive on Assets Declaration is contained in a circular, signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and addressed to all Deputy Comptrollers-General, Zonal Coordinators and Customs Area Controllers.

The directive ordered all officers to comply within 14 days.

According to the Circular, the directive on Assets Declaration is in compliance with “The Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Though the Act provides
for Asset Declaration by all Bank employees, it also empowers the President to extend its application to other categories of persons.

Specifically, Section 12 (1) states that “The provision of this Act shall apply to the Comptroller-General, Deputy Comptroller-General, Assistant Comptroller-General, Chief Collector, Principal Collector
and other Officer, Staff or employee of the Nigeria Customs Service as the apply to a Chief Executive or an employee of a Bank”.

The Comptroller-General observed that many Officers have not complied with the provisions of the Act over the years, stating that the 14-day ultimatum for compliance will be strictly enforced.

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