Lawmakers summon customs CG over sale of impounded vehicles

THE House Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the ComptrollerGeneral of Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS), Hameed Ali, in connection with the sale of impounded vehicles as scraps by the service.

Ali was directed to appear at the National Assembly on Tuesday, following his failure to show up last Wednesday.

The invitation followed a petition by the National President, Nigeria

Association of Auctioneers, Alhaji Musa Kurra, to the committee.

Kurra had alleged the sales of hundreds of vehicles seized from smugglers by the Customs below market values through what the NCS called direct auction allocation.

Sequel to the publication of the allegation, the NCS summoned Kurra to appear before a panel in November 8 with documents to buttress his allegations against the agency.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 2pm or so soon thereafter as the committee shall direct. Please, bear in mind the NCDC protocols.

‘’ You are to submit one soft copy and 10 hard copies of your brief on the matter. And further take note that if you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in y our absence.’’

Documents obtained by our - correspondent indicated that 338 vehicles were sold for N3,380,000 by the

He, however, refused to honCustoms Service on direct aucour the in vitation, insisting tion allocation of scrap vehithat the Customs should cles and other items.’ address the allegations of sellIt read: ‘’ Whereas the aboveing seized assets without folnamed petition is now pendlowing the due process. ing before this committee and

In the summons, Ali was the particulars of the petition directed to appear in person aforesaid are already within with one soft copy and 1 0 your knowledge; whereas the hard copies of his brief on the petition has been assigned to sale of impounded vehicles be heard by the committee for below the market prices. determination.

The letter signed by the com‘’ You are hereby required to mittee chairman, Jerr y note section 88 and 89 ( c) of Alagbaoso, was titled, ’ Nigeria our constitution ( as amend Association of Auctioneers ed) and appear in person ( petitioner) against Nigeria before this committee on

Committee on Direct Disposal of Condemned Scrap Vehicles and other items, Customs headquarters, Abuja.

Several companies were allocated hundreds of vehicles via a letter signed by the Chairman, Direct Disposal of Scraps Committee, Comptroller A. D Sanusi.

Kurra, who described the practice as illegal, said he has all the documentar y evidence needed to prove his allegations against the NCS.