Bukola Saraki has given Col. Hammed Ali the go ahead to wearing a uniform different from the agency’s uniform, as this finally settles Nigeria’s Upper legislative chamber’s rift with the Customs Service boss (NCS).
Saraki had in March this year summoned Mr. Ali over Customs’ plan to impound vehicles that have no import duty clearance. It specifically asked him to appear in uniform.
Ali, who said he may honour the invitation pointed out that he was not going to appear in uniform, insisting that “I was not appointed Comptroller General to wear a uniform.”
Mr. Ali, a retired colonel, was appointed Customs chief in 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari, becoming the second to be so appointed from outside the service.
Ali later honoured the invitation from the Red chamber and was walked out over his failure to wear his uniform as resolved.
The matter was later shifted to the judiciary to determine the fate of Ali.
However, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki gave Ali, the leeway to wear “jeans and T-Shirt” to the office if that would enable him to tackle and end the massive smuggling of goods into the country.
Further More, Speaking on the role of the NCS in the battle against smugglers, Saraki said, for the Comptroller General of Customs, let me say on a lighter note that once you end smuggling, even if you want to wear jeans and T-Shirt, I will move the motion that you should wear jeans and T-Shirt.
But on a serious note, this issue is very important. Let us all work towards ending this menace once and for all” He said.
