The Senate on Thursday summoned the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, to appear before its plenary in his Customs uniform for disobeying its order on the suspension of the policy on the collection of duties on old vehicles.

The Service reportedly went ahead with the proposed plan to collect duties on all vehicles in the country, including old ones.

Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West moved a motion during Thursday’s plenary, that the Comptroller-General of ‎the Customs must be called to order for disregarding Senate resolution on the matter.

Melaye noted that the reports on the newspapers that the Customs would continue with policy as against the Senate’s order was a coup on democracy and would not be accepted.

He prayed additionally that Hameed Ali should be re-summoned and made to appear in plenary and not before Senate Committee on Customs, insisting that he must also be in Customs uniform.

‎Other lawmakers reiterated that the Comptroller-General should appear before the Senate in plenary, threatening to recommend him for the sack if he fails to obey ‎its order.

Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan in his submission said that any government official that is asked to face the Senate must do so within the stipulated time stating the customs must make effort in securing the country’s borders.

While ruling on the matter, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, said that the Customs Comptroller General must appear live before the Senate in his appropriate uniform on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, adding that Nigerians must also fight impunity alongside corruption.

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