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Tag: Hameed Ali

  • Association seeks review of customs’ operations

    THE Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has called on the Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, to do a system appraisal within and without the customs operations.

    The call was contained in an open letter to Col. Ali, signed by the National President, Frank Ogunojemite.

    APFFLON said it was reaching out to NCS because of a mix-up in the system which is driven by parochialism and sycophancy, which hampers effective administrative correspondences and information flow.

    Making reference to the 2005 Presidential Committee on Customs operations report, which tried to correct some of the observed ills in customs operation, the association said unfolding events in the customs ports is gradually going back to pre-Nigeria Customs ports and border operations 2005.

    Read Also: Customs, NAFDAC destroy N14.7b tramadol

    The letter reads: “The code of ethics of the NCS specifically prohibits officers and men of the service from engaging in of clearing or forwarding of imported goods.

    “But contrary to that code of ethics, many of them flout this order and other regulations by using fronts and other such arrangements to do so.”

    Among other anomalies pointed out by APFFLON are insider trading and preferential treatment, controls and racketeering, non-compliance with rules of engagement, insecurity and safety etc.

    As a remedy, the association suggested, among others, that the use of camp boys at the operational base should be discouraged, while also advising customs to embrace an open door policy in all ramifications, and empower Zonal Coordinators and Area Comptrollers by assigning greater responsibilities to them.

    The agency should also discourage insider training to achieve licensing regulations and advancement.

    “If there must be an urgent need for task force to stem or stabilise operational misgivings, it should be structured as an ad hoc interventionist, or corrective measures that will act within a short time then disbanded afterwards”.

  • Nigeria, Benin customs begin inter-connectivity sensitisation

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its Benin Republic counterpart yesterday began steps to achieve inter connectivity of importers declarations with a sensitisation meeting with stakeholders in Seme Border.

    Under the new system, declarations made for imports from either of the two countries to the other will be electronically shared and importers do not need to declare a second time in transit.

    Controller General of Nigeria Customs, Col. Hameed Ali and Director-General of Benin Republic Customs, Sacca Boco Innousa Charles, assured stakeholders that the system will be protected from hacking and any form of disruption.

    Ali allayed fears of likelihood of reneging by Benin Republic as the case in the past saying officers on the project are committed to its success.

    Read Also: Marine Customs hands over seized drugs to NDLEA

    Represented by Assistant Comptroller General in charge of ICT, Benjamin Aber and his Beninoise counterpart, Ali assured importers and exporters that the system will be trader friendly, increase revenue, prevent smuggling and promote trade.

    Also speaking at the meeting , Charles said the initiative is a dream come true.

    According to him, moves for achieving the initiative began about 15 years ago when leaders of both countries initiated it.

    He said: “The new mechanism is a fall out of previous meetings between Nigerian president and our president

    “Our presidents held a meeting 15years ago in Badagry. I was there and today the efforts of both countries is about yielding results.

    “I was a member of the economic watch committee. I never knew I will be here to be part of those seeing it come real.

    “This forum is about sharing and knowing responsibilities, to improve our incomes as various economies.

    “This is a model initiative that will draw attention to Krake/Seme. It will be an example for other customs administrations.

    “We should continue as partners in building a better economies for our two countries.

    “I always feel at home whenever I come to Nigeria for ECOWAS meetings. I urge you all (Nigerians) to feel at home in our country.”

    The project is expected to take off before end of the month when it will be formally launched.

     

  • EFCC arrests impersonator of Hammed Ali

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Azeez Afolayan, for impersonating the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Retired Col. Hameed Ali and using his name to allegedly scam job seekers.

    EFCC spokesman Mr Tony Orilade made this known in a press statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The commission said that Afolayan was arrested by EFCC operatives in Ilorin, Kwara, following complaints from one of his victims.

    “Trouble started for him when a staff of the Customs Service, Hasaan Muhammed petitioned the EFCC, accusing him of defrauding innocent Nigerians seeking employment into the service.

    “He had so far defrauded them of about N1 million.

    “Under interrogation, he admitted to the crime,” it said.

    According to the statement, Afolayan confessed that “I started duping people since 2017 up till date; I have duped about five people.

    Read Also: Why we arrested Atiku’s son-in-law, by EFCC

    “I collected different amount of money from my victims and all of them used to transfer money to my bank accounts.

    “I used to tell them that I will help them to secure employment with the Nigerian Custom Services, but I was just scamming.”

    Some of the items recovered from him include, Nigerian Customs Service Application Forms, employment letters, passport photographs of some job seekers among others.

    “He will soon be charged to court,” the statement said.

    NAN

  • Ogun killing: Customs detains four officers

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has detained four of its men in connection with the “accidental discharge” incident of last Sunday which claimed the life of one Godwin Onoja.

    The incident, which happened at the Sagamu inter change on the Lagos-Benin expressway, involved some operative of the (NCS) Federal Operations Unit, (FOU) A while on anti-smuggling patrol.

    The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Joseph Attah in a statement made available to The Nation, Tuesday, said the Comptroller General of the service, Hameed Ali (rtd) had set up a panel led by the Zonal Coordinator A, to investigate the killing, assuring that any officer caught on the wrong side will be death with accordingly.

    It will be recalled that bullets from the riffle of a Customs officer, ASCI Destiny Onebamho, hit and killed Onoja, described as a friend of the Customs,  during a heated argument that ensued while the FOU Zone A operatives where trying to apprehend a passenger bus loaded with bales of used clothings.

    “Following the unfortunate incident on Sunday 17th February 2019 at Sagamu Interchange involving Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, which led to the death of a fellow citizen, Mr. Godwin Agada Onoja, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to maintain close contact with the bereaved family.

    “We are pained by this sad development and share the grief of losing a fellow compatriot in a seemingly avoidable circumstance. We are and will continue to take every necessary step that will cushion the pain associated with losing a dear one.”

    “Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has directed a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with the view to ensuring that justice is served.”

    Read Also: Customs’ ‘accidental discharge’ kills one

    Attach assured that the outcome of the panel would be made public for all Nigerians, adding that the officers whose rifle discharged would also face the panel as soon as he’s fit.

    “In line with this directive, the investigation panel headed by the Zonal Coordinator Zone A, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie has interrogated and detained four members of the patrol team.

    “The panel could not immediately conclude the investigation because the actual officer (ASCI Destiny Onebamho) whose riffle discharged is presently receiving medical attention as a result of attack following the unfortunate incident. He will face the panel as soon as he is fit to do so, to enable the panel conclude investigation and recommend appropriate action(s).

    NCS is a reputable organization known for integrity and responsibility. In line with our corporate values, we will not shield any operative found wanting in this ongoing investigation. The Service appreciates the public concern and strong emotions drawn from the viral video with narratives that created various opinions.”

    “Nigerians will recall that in 2017, the Service made public its investigation and dismissal of five (5) officers implicated in the illegal release of the 661-pump action riffles from Apapa Port. The dismissed officers were immediately handed over for prosecution alongside the importer and agent. A prosecution that is ongoing at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos.”

    He further assured that the investigation would comprise the weapon handling skills and actions that must be taken by the Service to possibly prevent future occurrence.

    “In the same vein, the ongoing investigation will be holistic including looking at the weapon handling skills and actions that must be taken by the Service to possibly prevent future occurrence. We will continue to update the public details of every action taken in the handling of this unfortunate incident.”

  • 2019: Customs tightens security against smuggling of firearms

    The Nigeria Customs Services on Thursday said it has tightened security across Nigeria borders in order to tackle the proliferation and smuggling of firearms into the country ahead of next year’s general elections.

    The Comptroller – General, Hameed Ali, said the service was also watching the seaports, as most firearms and ammunition are smuggled into the country through the ports.

    He spoke with reporters during the conduct of promotion exercise for the Nigerian Customs Service at the Computer Based Test Centre of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, in Abuja.

    Ali said: “Most of the arms and ammunition a coming into the country come through the seaports. Those ones that we discovered coming through the border stations we already tightened security. Although there are some areas in the north which are porous.

    “We are doing the best we can and we work on information because intelligence information helps a lot. Anywhere we discover that illegal arms are about to enter the country we go there and get it locked down.”

    Ali, who was represented by ACG Olapolu Fatade, Human Resource Department at the service, explained that 10, 498 officers took part in the promotion examination for officers of different ranks across the country.

    He added that the agency chose to conduct the exercise in JAMB CBT centres because of its credibility and timely release of results.

    Read Also: Customs seizes Tramadol worth N7.3b

    JAMB’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained the board’s readiness to continuously give the general public the desired impact to further enhance institutions through conducting transparent and credible examinations at its CBT centres nationwide.

    He explained that organisations and agencies chose to conduct their exercises at JAMB because of the trust and confidence they had for the board to deliver.

    “Before each examinations, we charge the candidates to conduct themselves in the best way because once you breach the examination’s code of conduct, you will be immediately sent out of the hall.

    “We are very firm, determined and irrespective of whoever is involved, our benchmark is that you must behave accordingly as expected of you,” he said.

    He said the board would soon commence registration for 2019/2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in December as scheduled.

    According to Benjamin, no specific date has been fixed for the commencement of the registration yet.

    He added that plans were underway to do so as soon as possible, as the board was initially waiting for the pronouncement of the presidency on the reduction of the examinations fee, which was formally announced on Wednesday.

  • No disquiet in Customs, says PRO

    …says Hameed Ali doesn’t limit performance 

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Joseph Attah on Thursday  said that the Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) debunked online publication that there was disquiet in. 

    He noted that the CG does not limit legitimate performance of duty in the service.

    According to him, who spoke with The Nation on phone, the report claimed that the anxiety was among top echelon of the service: the Deputy Comptroller-Generals and Assistant Comptroller-Generals.

    The report, he said, also claimed that “a person around me (PRO) told them in confidence the CGC is starving me of logistic to do my job. They added that I cannot complain publicly.”

    Read Also: Customs Strike Force goes tough

     Attah, who noted that the Customs boss does not limit legitimate performance, however, pointed out that that it was the same Comptroller-General that approved his official trip to Port Harcourt, where he was when the mischievous story broke.

    His words: “Incidentally, my attenuation was drawn to this mischievous publication when I was even outside the headquarters performing my official duty. So, who approved my journey? Is it not the same Comptroller-General?

    “The Comptroller-General that I know is not a man who limits you or dictates to you once he is convinced that he knows what you are doing. He gives you free hand to do your job.”

    Describing it as laughable for one to conjecture disaffection in the Service at the moment that it is progressing than ever, he said that compliance with the policies of the NCS has never been optional.

    He said that “there is no disquiet in the service, loyalty in the service is not an option. Nigeria Customs Service is a para military organization and therefore loyalty is not an option. I have personally tried to investigate all the boys that work under me and nobody said so. If they said somebody around me said so, they should be bold enough to tell me the person. They cannot cry more than the bereaved. 

    Continuing, the spokesman insisted that “cheap display of an agenda cannot fly in the place of a man whose antecedent is predicated on discipline, truth and integrity.”

  • Reps to probe NCS over illegal seizure of goods in Kano markets

     

    The House of Representatives is set to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the  Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) over alleged unwholesome activities of its personnel in Kano markets.

    Nigerian Customs officials were alleged to be overtly involved in illegal seizure of cars, shoes and textile materials in markets and routes leading to Kano State.

    Though the NCS Controller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has been asked to direct his officers to stop illegal seizures of goods, the House nonetheless has mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the allegations and report back within four weeks.

    The stand of the House followed the adoption of a motion  by Aliyu Madaki (APC, Kano), who noted that the issue should not be discountenanced with Kano being a major commercial center.

    He said people from every part of Nigeria and neighbouring countries travel  daily to Kano markets to purchase goods and textile materials on wholesale and retail basis.

    He said: “Personnel of the Nigerian Customs recently embarked on illegal seizure of cars even in car stands in the name of customs duties.

    “Personnel of the customs service seized in quantum shoes that were  bought from Aba markets and on their way to Kano markets and same thing when they are going to Aba.

    “The illegal activities of the customs is not only carried out in Kano state but extended to all the routes leading to Kano state”.

    The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

  • Senate, Customs chief in fresh feud over protocol

    Senate, Customs chief in fresh feud over protocol

    The feud between the Senate and Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), resurfaced on Monday in Abuja.

    Trouble started when the Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Economic Waste in Nigeria visited the Customs Headquarters in Abuja as part of its oversight functions.

    The drama was triggered by remarks made by Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, over the way the Senate delegation was received by the Customs high command.

    Melaye said by protocol, the Customs chief was expected to come down from his office to welcome the committee members into the Custom premises.

    The Kogi West lawmaker said it was a breach of protocol for the Customs CG to casually meet the delegation at the conference room.

    Melaye said the practice of ushering in the Senate delegation has been the practice with statutory bodies like Customs, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) and others over the years.

    He wondered why such established etiquette which was the norm under previous Customs chiefs was not accorded the committee by Ali.

    Melaye said: “Before reading the prepared speech of the committee, let me make this small remark on what we have just observed here in form of breach of protocols.

    “Mr. CG, rather than meeting us here at the conference room by way of courtesy, you supposed to have met us at the ground floor on arrival into the premises.

    “That has been the practice of statutory bodies headed by Chief Executive Officers like you. Relevant Senate committees have over the years been accorded this by bosses of Immigration Service, Prison Service and others, making us to wonder why it was not so here today under your leadership.

    “Therefore before proceeding further, on account of this observation, we want the Customs management to know that the presence of this committee before it implies that the Senate itself is before it to put things in order as regards the economic waste taking place in the Customs Service requiring the seriousness it deserves from you and the entire management.”

    The Customs CG told the Senate delegation that the agency has its own protocol that is different from other public establishments.

    Ali said: “We have our own protocol as regards receiving visitors like you. I don’t need to come downstairs to receive you just as nobody in the Senate or House of Representatives has ever come out to receive us anytime we visit the National Assembly.”

     

  • FG to increase salaries of NCS officers – Minister

    FG to increase salaries of NCS officers – Minister

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has promised to ensure salary increase for officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ).

    Adeosun made the promise at the celebration of International Customs Day at the Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, FCT on Friday in Abuja.

    The theme of the event was “A secure business environment for economic development’’.

    The minister was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Finance, Mrs Oladudumi Biosola.

    Adeosun urged officers of the NCS to put in more efforts to rise above target in revenue drive.

    She said that security of trade environment was central for business to proper, adding that security aspect of Customs role was as important as its revenue role.

    “The theme of this year Customs day coincides with the current ease of doing business initiative of the Federal Government.

    “We understand that the initiative is already yielding dividends based on the fact that we have improved by 24 points in the World Bank ranking system,’’ Adeosun said.

    She commended the NCS for its remarkable success in ensuring national security in the past years.

    According to her, seizure of arms .and ammunitions at the seaports were the possible indications that the Service is alive to its responsibilities.

    The minister also pledged to give the NCS the required support to succeed.

    The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, said that the Service had made steady progress in automation of its processes.

    The Comptroller-General said in addition to these were other reforms aimed at ensuring a secured business environment.

    Ali said that other ongoing reforms in the Service were repositioning it through strategic deployment, training and automation of Customs processes.

    He said that clearance process through Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), fast track facility for compliant traders and the post clearance audit were aimed at reducing clearance time and cost.

    “The minister has been working diligently on how to see the welfare of the NCS improves.

    “We are presently working on the computation of figures and she is waiting for that figure.

    “As soon that is made available, then, the decision between her and Mr President will determine what Customs gets.

    “I assure all Customs officers that between the minister and the President, both are all ready to see that there is an improvement in welfare of NCS,’’ Ali said.

    The Customs boss urged Nigerians to support indigenous businesses by patronising made in Nigeria goods to encourage local production and boost industrial base.

    NAN

  • Customs generate N262.3bn in 11 months at Tin Can Port – Official

    Customs generate N262.3bn in 11 months at Tin Can Port – Official

    The Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) said it generated N262.3 billion revenue between January and November.

    Mr Uche Ejesieme, the Public Relations Officer for the command said this in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

    Ejesieme quoted Mr Yusuf Bashar, the Area Comptroller in charge of the command as having made the disclosure while receiving the delegation of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee ( FAAC ), Post-Mortem Sub-Committee.

    He said the 2017 revenue generated by the command surpassed that of N233.5 billion it generated in 2016.

    The comptroller said the visit was appropriate, considering the fact that the nation was gradually sliding out of recession and the need to sustain the tempo.

    Bashar said that the command had also made significant and steady progress in its core functions in the past 18 months.

    He said the various reforms he instituted shortly after assumption of duty include the construction of a training facility with 30 workstations for the training of the officers and other critical stakeholders.

    Bashar said that that the command had started reaping the benefits of such training in terms of the volume of revenue being generated and the level of compliance by traders, regarding the fiscal policies.

    “We recorded remarkable seizures of cocaine, valued at N2 billion according to a report handed over to us by the NDLEA.

    “We also handed over recovered stolen exotic SUVs to Interpol Nigeria for onward repatriation to U. S.

    “We also seized a cache of arms (pump action riffles totaling 2,010 which eventually necessitated the recent visit of Mr President to Turkey with other top government officials to see ways of curbing the menace,” he said.

    He suggested infrastructure upgrade (road networks to the port) scanners and other equipment, to enhance the output of the service.

    Bashar assured that the command would continue to enhance the standard of its statutory functions through commitment to duty  by its officers and men.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Dr Casimir Anyanwu, expressed delight over the achievements of the command in the past 18 months.

    He also lauded the command for the consistent progress made in revenue generation, capacity building as well as seizures.

    Anyanwu said that the primary objective of the sub-committee was to examine, across board, the accounts of the three tiers of government.

    The exercise was to ensure that all accruable revenue to the Federal Government coffers is duly accounted for.

    He said that the committee had the mandate of the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, (rtd) to visit Customs commands to ascertain their strengths, weaknesses and challenges.

    Anyanwu said based on its findings during the visit, that the committee would advise the Federal Government appropriately.

    He described Tin Can Port as a major gateway to the resources of the country and very key to the Nigerian project.

    NAN