Senate To Order Customs CG’s Arrest If He Fails To Honour Invitation
The Senate has compelled the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, to appear before it in his full Customs regalia over its controversial policy on import duties on cars across the country.
The senate unanimously passed the motion moved by George Sekibo and seconded by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu Wednesday plenary.
Ruling on the matter, Senate President Bukola Saraki asked Ali is to appear before the Senate by 10am Thursday.
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The Upper Legislative Chamber also threatened to arrest Ali if he fails to appear before it on Thursday, citing Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),
The decision of the Senate came at the time that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) suspended the implementation of its policy for duty payments on old vehicles.
The Customs service said that the suspension was placed in order to resolve issues with the Senate Committee on Customs.
The Comptroller-General approved one month grace for all Nigerian vehicle owners who have not paid duties to do so or face outright seizure of the vehicles. This applies even to new vehicles bought from car dealers.
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The service gave a window of one month, from March 13 to April 12, for car owners to pay the appropriate duty on their vehicles.
The Senate President had earlier read a second letter written by the Customs boss on his inability to appear before them, but the lawmakers however insisted that Ali must appear before them on Thursday.
Expectations are currently high as to whether or not the Customs boss will dance to the tune of the Lawmakers or brace up for the consequences that may follow.
