BREAKING: Senate walks Customs CG, Ali, out for not wearing uniform, fixes new date

The Nigerian Senate has walked out Customs Comptroller General, Col Hammed Ali, from the house for not appearing in uniform.

The Senate in a voice vote also fixed March 22, 2017 for his reappearance.

The Senate had earlier ordered Ali to appear before the senate on his uniform.

When asked by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, why he was not on his uniform, Col Ali answered that there is “no law against me not wearing uniform.”

Senator Ibn Na’Allah however described the circular issued by the Comptroller General, stating to the Senate that he won’t wear his uniform as “derogatory”.

Sen Na’Allah cited Sections 7,8 &10 of the Customs Act, which states that “the Customs shares same privileges with police and other institutions.”

Sen Barau Jibrin declared that the “The Comptroller General needs to go and apply the law of the land by wearing uniform before he addresses us, as stipulated in our constitution.”

Sen Yayi Adeola however stated that anyone could wear the Customs uniform and appear as the CG.

Sen Ali Wakili also pleaded with the Senate, urging them to temper justice with mercy he added that “he is a man of integrity, we would liase with the CG.”

Sen Magnus Abe pleaded with the CG to wear his uniform to preserve the image of the Customs and perception of other institutions.

Sen George Sekibo stated that the CG must reappear before the Senate in his uniform.

Seconding on Sen Sekibo’s stand, Sen Barnabas Gemade also added that “it is respectable and important for the CG to wear his uniform.”

The Senate however puts Ali’s hearing to a voice vote and mandated the CG to come on uniform Wednesday, March 22, 2017.