Col. Hammed Ali, Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, has dared the Senate, stating that he would not honour the invitation requesting him to appear at the Senate in the Custom’s uniform on Wednesday.
Ali, who spoke with pressmen attached to the State House said his white kaftan, which he was wearing at the time he made the statement, was his uniform.
He said he had received a writ of summons from the Senate pertaining to a case instituted by an individual on the issue.
“The case is in court already. Somebody has sued us. It is subjudice,” he said.
“I have gotten my writ of summons and they said status quo should remain ante which means nothing you move until the court makes a pronouncement.
“A private individual sued all of us, he wants an interpretation of the section that is in contention.
“I don’t want to talk so that I am not held in contempt of court.”
Members of the Nigerian Senate had criticized Ali last Thursday for appearing at the Upper Legislative Chamber without the Customs uniform. He was thus directed to return on Wednesday wearing the official uniform.
The Senate said it was important Ali appears in the Custom’s uniform since he is not a sole administrator of the agency.
Ali, however, said that his refusal to wear the uniform is due to the fact that he is not aware of a pre-existing law requiring him to wear the agency’s uniform. He also said that the letter of appointment given to him did not compel him to wear the uniform.