The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has succumbed to pressure from the Nigerian Senate and is reviewing the controversial policy on old vehicles duty payment enforcement , Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (retd), who is now ready to appear before the Senate, as summoned, has said.
Col. Ali made thisknown in a letter to Senate President Bukola Saraki which he personally submitted yesterday during an unscheduled visit to the Senate president, CHECKPOINTCHARLEY was informed by sources at the Senate.
It is suspected that President Muhammadu Buhari waded into the matter and asked the defiant Ali to honour the invitation to avert a face-off between the legislature and executive at a time the two branch needed to work together to pull the country out of recession.
The Customs Chief had told the Senate, in a letter, that he would not appear before the lawmakers on Wednesday as his summons to the chamber coincided with the routine management meeting of the NCS.
His flimsy excuse had angered senators, who insisted on his appearance and on uniform too, which he has refused to wear as Comptroller General of Customs.
But in his personally signed letter, Col. Ali also said he was seeking legal consultation over whether or not to wear the uniform.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY has been told that Col. Ali personally submitted the second letter to the Senate president and did not make any reference to the first letter which was read by the Clerk of the senate during plenary.
The second letter read: “May I respectfully refer to your letter dated 9 March and inform Your Excellency that the decision on payment of customs duties by vehicle owners who do not have them as prescribed by law is currently being reviewed.
“The goal of the review is to take a broad additional input from the stakeholders and the public. I will welcome the opportunity to avail the Senate of our findings.
“Regarding to wearing of uniform, I wish to advice that the senate avails itself of the legal basis of its decision to compel me to wear uniform.
“I am similarly taking legal advice on this issue so that both the senate and I will operate within the proper legal frame work.”
The embattled Customs Boss was said to have arrived at the National Assembly complex around 5.30 pm and moved straight to the office of Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan.
He was later led to Saraki’s office by the Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang and Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Senator Uzodinma (Imo West) is Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs and Excise.
Mr. Ali wore his traditional white caftan with a cap to match and was driven in a Peugeot 508 black car marked HQ 89CS.
It is understood that Ali’s visit was to water the ground for his appearance before the Red Chamber on Wednesday, which is expected to be tempestuous after he had snubbed the invitation of senators with his first letter. Senators had deemed his excuse as a slap in the face of the legislature.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY had urged the Senate to order his arrest should he fail to honour its invitation.
The controversial policy of duties on old vehicles had unsettled many Nigerians, who are against it. They believe it would be arbitrary and subject to abuse and corruption.
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