‘You must wear uniform before addressing us’ Senate tells Customs boss

The Senate has mandated the comptroller general of Customs to appear before it in uniform on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

The Senate had summoned Ali to appear before it ‘in appropriate uniform’ over the proposed seizure of vehicles without paid duty.

But Ali arrived at the National Assembly in a white native attire and a white cap.

When deputy Senate president, Ike Ekeremadu asked why Ali was in mufti rather than his uniform, he said; “There is no law to my knowledge that compels me to wear uniform."

Senator Adeola Olamilekan noted that the comptroller general of Customs is a rank adding that anyone can wear mufti and claim that position.

“What is happening here today is contrary to the resolution by the Senate,” he said.

“I will like to state that the post of the comptroller general is a rank and if the person standing before us is not dressed in his uniform showing that rank, then I don’t know who is standing to address the Senate.

“Anyone can wear mufti and claim to be the comptroller general of customs.

“If you look at those who accompanied him here, they are all dressed in their appropriate uniforms. So, I don’t know why he, being the number one person cannot do same,” he added.

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Similarly, Senator Barau Jibrin maintained that Ali must wear his uniform before addressing the Senate.

“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," he said.

Senator Magnus Abe urged Ali to wear his uniform to preserve the image of the Customs and perception of other institutions.

Senator Ali Wakili, a former Customs officer, who regretted Ali’s ‘grandstanding’ on the matter pleaded the Senate to ‘temper justice with mercy’.

In a unanimous decision, the lawmakers ordered the Customs boss to appear before the upper chamber on Wednesday at 10 am in his appropriate uniform.