Hameed Ali Fails To Appear Before Senate

The comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali failed to appear before the senate to brief the house on on planned action on vehicles without duty payment. As this was the case, The Senate then passed a resolution to compel the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, to appear before senators tomorrow.

Although, The Customs’ planned policy to impound vehicles without duty payment has been suspended, the service announced Wednesday morning, in obedience to a Senate resolution, but the Senators were not satisfied. They insisted on Mr. Ali’s appearance, regardless of the announcement to suspend the policy which set him on collision course with the Senate.

It would be recalled that this is the second time Mr. Ali has blatantly turned down to appear before the senate, siting various reasons for his actions. In his latest letter, he told the Senate he was bereaved, therefore citing reason why he could not appear today, Wednesday. In his first letter to the Senate earlier on Tuesday, he said he had to attend an NCS management meeting about same time he was expected to be at the Senate.

The Senate President, Mr. Saraki also confirmed to his colleagues Mr. Ali visited him Tuesday evening and made commitment to suspend the policy on duty payment. Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers), moved the motion to compel Hameed Ali to appear. The motion was seconded by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. They threatened to issue an arrest warrant against the Customs CG should he not appear tomorrow.