The House Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, in connection with the sales 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 Customs at below-market prices through what the NCS called direct auction allocation.
In the summons, Ali was directed to appear in person with one soft copy and 10 hard copies of his brief on the sales of impounded vehicles at below-the-market prices.
The letter signed by the committee chairman, Jerry Alagbaoso, was titled, ’Nigeria Association of Auctioneers (petitioner) against Nigeria Customs Service on direct auction allocation of scrap vehicles and other items.’
It read, “Whereas the above-named petition is now pending before this committee and the particulars of the petition aforesaid are already within your knowledge whereas, the petition has been assigned to be heard by the committee for determination.
“You are hereby required to note sections 88 and 89 (c) of our constitution (as amended) and appear in person before this committee on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 2pm or so soon thereafter as the committee shall direct. Please, bear in mind the NCDC protocols. Venue: House of Representatives Room 429 (new wing).
“You are to submit one soft copy and 10 hard copies of your brief on the matter. And further take notice that if you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in your absence.”
