‘Senate doesn’t have the right to summon customs boss on policy matters,’ Lawyer says

monjola sotubo

March 20, 2017 11:23 AM

The Senate, last week, invited Ali to appear before it to give a justification for the agency’s policy on vehicle duty payment.

Prominent lawyer, Femi Falana has said that the Senate does not have the right to summon the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service,

Falana made the comments via an article published on Sunday, March 19, in which he described the Senate’s move as unconstitutional.

“The Senate lacks the vires (power) to summon the CGC on policy matters. Indeed, the oversight power of either House of the National Assembly is not at large but limited by section 88 (2) of the constitution,” Falana said.

“No power exists under the section for general investigation, not for personal aggrandizement of the House. In the instant case, the Senate is not conducting an investigation but challenging the policy of the Nigeria Customs Service on payment of duties.

“With respect, the summons served on the CGC is illegal and unconstitutional as it cannot be justified under section 88(2) of the constitution. Neither the constitution not the Rules of Procedure of the Senate has conferred on it the power to compel the CGC to wear customs uniform when he is not a serving customs officer.

“Indeed, the directive is a reckless usurpation of the powers of the board which is the only competent body to decide on the wearing of uniform by customs officer. Col. Ali cannot be made to wear any uniform by the Senate,” he added.

Ali and the Senate have been involved in a verbal battle over the Customs boss failure to wear the agency’s uniform.

ALSO READ: ‘No law compels me to wear uniform,’

The Customs boss earlier said that he was appointed to do a job and not wear a uniform.

He also said that he would seek legal advice on the issue.

monjola sotubo