The Senate at its plenary session of Thursday, March 16th 2017, suspended the briefing by the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hamid Ali, after he appeared before the Chamber without his official uniform despite a resolution of the Senate compelling otherwise.
Questioning the Comptroller General on the matter, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP: Enugu) who equally presided over the briefing session demanded to know why the CG had disobeyed the resolution of the Senate. In response, Col. Ali stated that he was unaware of any law that compelled him to wear the official uniform of the institution. Sen. Bala Ibn Na’allah, nonetheless, had a contrary view stating that Col. Ali’s position was at variance with the Sections 7, 8, and 10 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, and advised that he desist from subjecting the Senate to ridicule.
Also speaking in support of Sen. Na’allah’s submissions, Sen. George Sekibo (PDP: Rivers) informed the CG that he had violated provisions of Sections 1, 13 and 24 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and would not be allowed to brief Senate. Thus, the Senate unanimously agreed that the CG be dismissed and re-appear before its chambers on Wednesday, March 22nd 2017, in his customs uniform.
