The confidence in the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) not to wear the service uniform may be connected to the tactical support he is getting from the Presidency.
According to the Punch, the Presidency’s position on the matter is that there is no law which stipulates that Ali must wear the customs uniform.
A source told the newspaper that, based on legal advice made to the President by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Buhari believes no law compels Ali to wear the customs uniform.
The source said the position of the Presidency was that lawmakers could not make laws and enforce the laws themselves.
“The AGF has advised that no law compels a political appointee to wear any uniform. And again, the legislature makes laws, but they don’t have the power to enforce those laws,” the source said.
When contacted about the Customs uniform saga on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, directed correspondents to the Public Relations Officer of the NCS.
When asked if the CG would heed the Senate’s order on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of NCS, Joseph Attah, said Ali would do the appropriate thing.
“I am confident the CG will do the appropriate thing. Thank you,” he stated.
The Senate and the customs boss have been having a face-off over the instruction by Ali that customs officials should check for customs duty documents for imported cars.
Meanwhile, Sahara Reporters is claiming that the face-off between Ali and the senate may be connected to the customs seizure of a bullet-proof Range Rover SUV belonging to the Senate President Bukola Saraki.