BEVERLY HILLS, March 10, (THEWILL) – The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Hameed Ali, has declared that he was not appointed to wear a uniform.
Since his appointment as the Customs boss in September 2015, Ali, a retired colonel, has been carrying on his duties in civilian attire.
Last month when he appeared before the senate committee on customs and excise duties, he was asked to explain the reason behind his decision not to appear as an NCS officer.
On Thursday, the issue of uniform resurfaced at the red chamber when the Senate summoned Ali over the plan to set aside the directive of the lawmakers not to seize vehicles without paid duty.
He was asked to appear before next Wednesday’s plenary session in complete Customs uniform.
But speaking in an interview with TVC, Ali said “I was not appointed comptroller-general to wear uniform”.
“Does uniform work or the person behind the uniform? If we suspect that smuggled items are taken into your own house, we have a right to condone that house and search. Am I doing my job or not? I think that should worry the national assembly.”
The Customs boss said he had not receive a formal invitation, but promised to appear before the lawmakers if the right thing was done.
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