The Senate on Wednesday resolved that the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), must appear before it on Thursday. This is in spite of efforts by the Presidency to calm frayed nerves in the Senate through the leadership of the upper legislative chamber.
Also, on Wednesday the Senate screened Ibrahim Magu for confirmation as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but he failed the “integrity test” and was rejected by the Senate as chairman of EFCC for the second time.
Magu had in the course of the screening admitted that there is corruption in the EFCC. He queried the DSS report which clearly indicted him, asking why an institution like the DSS would submit two varying reports on the same person on the same day.
He said contrary to allegation that one Umar Mohammed sponsored the acquisition of the house he is living in, the said house was owned by the late Dora Akunyili and was rented from her family by the Federal Government. In spite of his explanations which failed to impress and convince the Senators, he was roundly rejected.
Maentime, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has suspended the implementation of its policy for duty payments on old vehicles, in order to resolve issues with the Senate Committee on Customs.
The Acting Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, said this on Wednesday in Abuja.
Attah said in a statement, that the Management of Customs had directed that the exercise be put on hold and expressed its readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further discussions.
He said that the essence was to bring the Senate on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy.
“Following the tension generated as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the NCS planned motor duty payment, the leadership of the National Assembly and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) met with a view to resolving the impasse.
“They both agreed that the proposed motor duty payment, though in line with the provision of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C.45, LFN 2004, should be put on hold.
“While the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise interfaces with the NCS for further discussions.
“Payment of duty on vehicles or any dutiable imported item remains a civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian,’’ Attah said.
