…Court affirms Senate’s power to reject Magu as EFCC boss***
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has dissolved the 2017 compliance team which vibrantly assisted the service in hauling in N1 trillion, and replaced it with a more dynamic Strike Force.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah, disclosed this in Abuja, on Thursday, saying that the strike force team would be posted to the four zonal offices of the Service in Lagos, Kaduna, Bauchi and Port Harcourt.
The image-maker highlighted that the strike force could also use the Customs training colleges as their base, because of their mandate included the capacity to scrutinize the activities of Customs officers.
“The Customs strike force is set up to replace compliance team. This team is to operate under a different strategy.
“The team is empowered to enter any command system on suspicion of fraudulent activities taking place or about to take place with a view to blocking all revenue leakages from the system.
“The team is allowed to partake in the examination of any suspected container generated by the ICT,” he explained, adding that the team would ensure that all un-utilized Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) bill of lading, as well as air way bills was accounted for.
“They are to monitor the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) in order to checkmate capital flight and PAAR merchandise.
“This is what they are expected to do, their operation is fashioned this way to be in line with the demand of the executive order on the Ease of Doing Business,’’ Attah said.
He noted that the strike force would erect checkpoints rather than roam the highways except on credible information by the surveillance operatives of the Service.
“The strike force will treat the information and return to base. It is the desire of the CGC to sanitize the system for optimum performance.
“This particular strategy will enhance free flow of goods on our high ways.
“No hinter land or highway patrol by the team, the surveillance team will work for 24 hours and their work is not intended to impede free flow of goods,’’ he added, pointing out that the team will be under the co-ordination of a Deputy Comptroller assisted by four Assistant Comptrollers of Customs.
Meanwhile, the Senate has said it has been vindicated on the rejection of the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi, who briefed journalists in Abuja on Thursday, announced that a Federal High Court had ruled that the upper chamber of the National Assembly had the powers to confirm or reject his appointment.
Sabi-Abdullahi made a copy of the ruling available to journalists, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent.
The Senate’s spokesperson said, “We are pleased with this judgment and we want to salute Nigeria’s judiciary for always rising up to the occasion to protect our democracy and deepen our democratic processes.”
The Senate had rejected Magu’s appointment bases on a report by the Department of State Services which disqualified him.
The lawmakers had also placed an embargo on confirmation of appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari which required legislative approval, to protest against Presidency’s position that some appointments did not require Senate’s approval.
Sabi-Abdullahi stated that the embargo would remain until Magu is replaced.
The suit, with Number FHC/ABJ/CS/59/2017, was filed by a lawyer, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Justice John Tsoho of the FHC sitting in Abuja on January 15, 2018, ruled on the issues raised by the plaintiff before striking out the suit.
Delivering the ruling, Tsoho said, “The plaintiff raised two issues in the written address for determination, to wit: Whether or not the 1st defendant (Saraki) can reject a valid statutory appointment made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Office (of the Chairman) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in accordance with the provisions of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
“Whether or not the 1st defendant is bound by the provisions of the EFCC Act, 2004, with respect to the confirmation of any appointment made by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Office of the Chairman of the EFCC.”
Additional report from Citizen
