Canticles... Senate: Scandal as a Second Nature
Is it true that the Senate has been harsh to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs because Customs men dared to seize the bullet-proof SUV of the senate president, Bukola Saraki?
It is an allegation.And what do you mean by the Senate has been harsh? Has the Customs CG behaved responsibly?
Is it an irresponsible act to refuse to wear uniform?
What kind of question is that? If your job requires you to wear uniform and you refuse to wear it for whatever reason, it is irresponsible. Or isAli saying that if he was a lawyer, after leaving the NigerianArmy, and he had to appear in court before a judge, he won’t wear the wig and gown because military men don’t wear uniform twice?
Is that why the Nigerian Senate will have to be harassing such a senior citizen?
What is so senior about a retired colonel who will not obey and conform with the common rules of a system he presides over? If he accepts to run the institution, fly the private jet of the Customs, live in Customs posh quarters, ride Customs official car, receive and enjoy the salary, perks and appurtenances associated with the office of the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, propriety demands that he should wear its uniform.
Look, the matter is in court now. Let the court decide whether he has breached any law or not
You see how we complicate otherwise simple matters? Why should the demand for uniform-wearing end up in court?
Well, the court is the last hope of the common man
Don’t abuse that cliché. The CG of Nigeria Customs is by no means an example of a common man. Look, the more important issue is about the so-called scandal that the Senate is being led to be hard on Col HameedAli (rtd) because Saraki’s car was seized. You know it is just a way of hitting back at Saraki because of the rejection of Mr Ibrahim Magu as EFCC chair. And that is why the Senate has resolved to probe the matter.
How can you so conclude? Many people believe the story is true and that the so-called reference of the allegation to the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the Senate is to fulfil all righteousness and that nothing indeed will come out of the probe.
Are you saying that the Ethics and Privileges Committee is incapable of being independent and honest in its duty?
Something like that. Are they not the same senators who always flock after Saraki in solidarity anytime he is going to the CCB tribunal for trial? How do you expect such dye-in-the-wool loyalists to indict their master? No matter how sharp a knife is, it cannot cut its own handle. With people like Senator Dino Melaye, Saraki’s Man Friday, in such a committee, the verdict of the committee is already known.
And don’t forget too that even Dino Melaye was also accused of certificate scandal: that he did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as he claimed. He is also to be probed by the same committee.
Hmmm, Senator Melaye has boasted that he has seven degrees, about to receive the eighth one. And that he has all his certificates. He has even gone ahead to sue the news media that published the alleged scandal.
I hear that some of those seven degrees are mere certificates from seminars attended in places like Havard University, and not necessarily certificates from degree programmes, yet he describes himself as an alumnus of Havard University.
Is that why you described him as Saraki’s Man Friday?
Noooooo, But does everybody not know that Melaye is Saraki’s Man Friday? Can’t you see that Melaye is Saraki’s vocal butt? Does any other senator ever get as much chance to speak as Melaye on the floor of the Senate, what with all the theatrics that go with his submissions and arguments?
Well, he is an activist when it suits him and an establishmentarian, when it fits his interest. Let me ask you, Col Ali (rtd) has been in office sinceAugust 2015. Why is it only now that the Senate is noticing that he does not wear Customs uniform, only after Saraki’s car has been impounded last January 11. Go and psycho-analyse his positions and arguments and you will agree with me.
But is it true that in this time of recession, the number three citizen who is facing prosecution for false asset declaration yet went ahead to buy a bullet-proof Range Rover SUV worth N298 million, when people are dying of hunger?What does such a big man need even more cars for?
Don’t poke-nose into what does not concern you. If he buys such a car, is it your money he used in buying it?
There is a word called expediency. As a public votary, Saraki cannot or should not be that free to do everything he wants no matter how lawful. Or is he trying to tell those trying him for asset declaration that,‘Hey guys, you ain’t seen nothing yet? Don’t forget, all things may be lawful, but all things are not expedient.
So is it not obvious to you that the Customs men are merely envious and mischievous in their decision to impound the SUV, knowing that it belongs to Saraki?
I don’t get it. Customs says the documents with which such a special car was cleared are fake, even as the N8 million duty paid on it is far below the expected N74 million that ought to have been paid. Didn’t you read the details?
Don’t mind those hungry journalists writing rubbish. The Senate president issued a statement saying it is the problem of the supplier who was contacted to supply the said car for the use of the Senate, not Saraki’s personal property and that since the car has not been delivered to the Senate, it is an issue between the supplier and the Nigerian Customs.
Hmmmm. So much explanations to do in the weeks ahead, I can assure you. And the Banana peel is…
(cuts in) There is no banana peel anywhere. You will see the outcome of the investigation. (hissing) Nonsense!