Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali, Customs boss

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS on Thursday announced the dismissal of 29 senior officers for various acts of gross misconduct.  The dismissed officers include four Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, five  Assistant-Comptroller, seven Chief Superintendents of  Customs and four  Superintendents, among others.

The officers were investigated for malpractices like involvement in improper examination and release of containers without proper documentation and payment of duties, illegal release of goods  in advance before the arrival of vessels, collection of bribe to release prohibited items, release of export prohibitions, fraudulent sale of seized items, use of fake certificates and bribery to secure auctioned goods.

Wale Adeniyi, spokesman for the NCS who revealed this in a statement said the dismissed officers are among 44 senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security after the investigations.

According to him, while 10 other officers were retired from Service, the appointment of one officer was terminated while four other officers were given written warnings to be of better conduct.  He added that four officers who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated.

“Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) had made it clear upon his assumption of duties that the Service will not compromise on Corruption and Indiscipline among the officers’ corps.

“ In line with this, the structure and process for investigation of offences was strengthened to handle cases reported promptly and professionally.

“We will give all officers fair hearing in line with the principle of natural justice. We will however insist that  sanctions be punitive, not only to match the offence committed, but to serve as deterrent to others”,  Adeniyi quoted the CGC as saying at Management meeting convened to consider the report of the Disciplinary Committee that investigated the cases.

He added that the process leading to the actions taken on the officers was painstaking in line with the Public Service Rules.

Adeniyi said as all the officers were served with queries indicating offences committed, before they made appearances before the Special Investigation Committee.

The Committee’s recommendation was discussed and approved by the Customs Management, the Customs spokesman added.

According to him, the recommendation was thereafter referred to the Presidency for ratification, in the absence of a substantive Board for the Nigeria Customs Service.

“All the officers affected in the exercise have been communicated accordingly.

“The Comptroller-General warned officers that punitive sanctions will continue to be used to discipline officers who refuse to embrace change,” he added.

Last week, 17 junior officers were similarly dismissed from service for offences like bribery, drug addiction, use of fake certificates and absence from duty.