Twenty-nine (29) Senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have
been dismissed for various acts of gross misconduct. In a statement
issued by Customs PRO, Wale Adeniyi, it was revealed that the dismissed
officers were among forty-four (44) senior officers who were punished
for actions capable of compromising national economy and security.
"Ten (10) other officers were retired from Service,
while the appointment of one (1) was terminated. Four (4) officers were
given written warnings to be of better conduct while another 4 officers
who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated.
Four (4) of the officers who got the hammer were of the rank of
Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, while five (5) were
Assistant-Comptroller. Others were seven (7) Chief Superintendents of
Customs and four (4) Superintendents, among others.
"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”, the CGC remarked at Management meeting convened to consider the
report of the Disciplinary Committee that investigated the cases.
"The process leading to the actions taken on the officers was
painstaking in line with the Public Service Rules (PSR). 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 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.
Officers affected in this exercise were investigated for 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.
"Last week, seventeen (17) Junior officers were similarly dismissed from
service for offences like bribery, drug addiction, use of fake
certificates and absence from duty."
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Title :
NIGERIA CUSTOMS DISMISSED OFFICERS
Description : Twenty-nine (29) Senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been dismissed for various acts of gross misconduct. In a statement...
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