Customs boss, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) may have changed his mind about ignoring the summon to appear before the senate.
The customs comptroller-general was last week summoned to appear before the senate to provide details of the agency’s directive to vehicle owners to pay import duties on cars already in use and respond to other allegations.
Other concerns the customs boss was expected to address at his appearance included allegations that customs operatives killed some traders while attempting to seize supposedly contraband goods.
The senate had also mandated the comptroller-general to appear in the uniform of the agency following a motion raised by controversial lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye.
In response to the senate directive, the customs boss initially stated that he would not appear in the customs uniform as the focus should rather be on his performance and not his outfit.
He subsequently informed the senate in a letter written on his behalf by Assistant Comptroller General, Azarema Abdulkadir that he would be unavailable as it coincided with a routine management meeting of the customs service.
On Tuesday, the senate after deliberating on the letter at its plenary restated its directive that Col Ali appear before it on Wednesday and in his uniform, thereby raising concerns about a potential clash.
It was gathered that following the intervention of special adviser to the president on national assembly affairs, Senator Ita Enang, the customs boss agreed to pay Senate President Bukola Saraki a visit in his office on Tuesday.
Col Ali reportedly arrived at the National Assembly complex at about 5.30pm and first met with the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, before moving to Saraki’s office, where they had a closed-door meeting.
He left around 6:45pm without addressing newsmen about the outcome of his meeting with the senate president, according to a source cited by Punch.
It was however gathered that a new letter dated March 14, 2017 and personally signed by the customs boss was delivered to the senate Tuesday evening.
In the new letter, Ali said the customs was currently reviewing its “decision on payment of Customs duties by vehicle owners, who do not have them as prescribed by law” in order to incorporate broader input from all stakeholders and the public.
He added, “Regarding the wearing of uniform, I wish to advise 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 framework.”
