The Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Hameed Ali, has for the second time refused to appear before the Senate on Wednesday with his official uniform to answer some questions bothering on vehicle duty payments.
It would be recalled that during yesterday plenary the customs boss through a director has written to the national Assembly seeking permission to rescheduled his appearance, but tissue aggravated the senators and insisted that he must appear today Wednesday before the Federal lawmakers.
It was widely reported that the Customs boss met with the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki behind closed doors on Tuesday evening.
However, during the Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate President read Ali’s letter saying he was bereaved and could not show up before the Senate.
Again, this infuriated the Federal lawmakers and called on the Senate leadership to compel Ali to appear before the upper house of legislature on Thursday, March 16 or risk being arrested.
Meanwhile, baring last minute option to avoid been disgraced by the National Assembly, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), suspended its plan to commence vehicle duty payments on all vehicles in the country.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Acting Public Re!ations Officer of NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah, and obtained by HardReporters correspondent in Abuja, said the decision to suspend the vehicle duty payment policy was due to ongoing meetings and deliberations between the management of the NCS and the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise.
Customs had given vehicle dealers and private vehicle owners between March 13th to April 12th to ensure their vehicle duty payments are regularised.
NCS, noted that following the unnecessary tension generated as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the Nigeria Customs Service 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.
According to the statement, it was agreed between the national Assembly and NCS that the proposed motor duty payment, though in line with the provision of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C.45, LFN 2004 be suspended for the meantime while the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise interfaces with the NCS for further discussions.
