•Customs’ Comptroller General, Hameed Ali, gives 14 day ultimatum to officers of the agency
As you read, many of the men and officers of Nigeria Custom Service are in serious unstable state of mind as the new Comptroller General, Hameed Ali, has ordered all officers and men of the agency to declare their assets within 14 days. This was done via a circular signed by the comptroller-general and sent out to all deputy comptrollers-general, zonal coordinators and customs area controllers.
The recent development is believed to be a deliberate attempt to rid the agency of corruption that has eaten deep in it. Nigeria Customs Service is one of the most corrupt agencies and many of the officers of the agency have amassed wealth for themselves through dubious means. Pundits are of the belief that this order by the Comptroller General is a big test many of the officers may not pass.
The Comptroller General in the circular said the directive which must be complied with, is a way of ensuring transparency and compliance with the rule of law within the parastatal. The circular stated that the directive was in compliance with “the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
Although the act is meant for bank employees, Hameed in the circular, stated that the president is also empowered to extend its application to other workforce.
“Specifically, Section 12 (1) states that “The provision of this act shall apply to the comptroller-general, deputy comptroller-general, assistant comptroller-general, chief collector, principal collector and other officer, staff or employee of the Nigeria Customs Service as it applies to a chief executive or an employee of a bank,” said the circular.