Updated: Anger in Customs over extension of 12 senior officers’ service years

Updated: Anger in Customs over extension of 12 senior officers’ service years

Internal wrangling is brewing among some sections of Nigeria Customs officers over a reported extension of the service years of 12 top officers already due for retirement.

A new report by FIJ this was done Contrary to the public service rules (PSR).

The report listed some of the beneficiaries as Michael Awe, the comptroller of the Murtala Muhammed Cargo Command; Baba Imam, an assistant comptroller of customs and secretary to the NCS Board; Kayode Kolade, the comptroller of Seme Area Command; and Umar Isah Gusau, Assistant Comptroller of Customs.

They were said to be due for their compulsory three months pre-retirement leave as dictated by the PSR.

The extension, it was learnt, would last a year, impeding the career progression of those who could have stepped into the roles of the affected officers.

“I write on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs and Vice Chairman of Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, to convey the approval of Extension of your Service by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR vide Ref, PRES/81/SGF/154/114/NCS/4 dated 5th December, 2024,” Imam, one of the retained officers, wrote in a letter directed to Awe, dated December 12.

“The Extension period approved is twelve (12) months from the date of your supposed retirement.

READ ALSO:

• Suspected robbers gun down UNIZIK lecturer in in Anambra
• Street begging: 8 children, 9 adults arrested in Lagos
• Thieves break into Lagos RRS commander’s vehicle, steal brain box, gadgets

“By this Extension, while the CGC congratulates you, you are expected to bring your invaluable wealth of experience and professional expertise to bear on the policy thrust of the CGC and for the growth and development of the Service and the Nation.”

There are also indications that the secret retention signals the extension of service years of the Customs boss, whose 35th year as a Customs officer statutorily ends next month.

Although Tinubu had said his tenure would be guided by the “extant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR)”, there are concerns that this may not be so.

The concerns was said to have stemmed from a recent action of President Tinubu controversially extending the tenure of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun by allowing the National Assembly to amend the Nigeria Police Act to legitimise the extension for a period of four years.

The IGP would have retired after attaining the retirement age of 60 years recognised by the PSR.

Uneasy calm

In preparation for his retirement, for instance, Awe was said to have already handed over to the most senior officer at his command and was awaiting a send-off party by his colleagues.

READ ALSO:

• Chelsea’s forward Mudryk suspended after failing drug test
• Tinubu hosts Ghana’s president-elect, Mahama, in Abuja
• Herbalist kills 41-day-old son, gives ressons

“Awe ceased being a customs officer on November 27. On the same day, he handed over to the most senior deputy comptroller at the Murtala Muhammed Cargo Command pending when a substantive appointment would be made,” an FIJ source said.

“He then travelled to Abuja and returned to announce that he remained the head of the command to the consternation of the officers who were already planning a send-off ceremony to be held on November 30 for him.

“Nobody is lawfully allowed to experience their retirement leave on duty. What our findings showed was that these people are the henchmen of the comptroller general.

“So, if they are breaking the law for his lieutenants, then his own overstay or approval for his extension would be a walk in the park.

“There is a lot of anger in the service as we speak and officers don’t know how to vent it. By now, the law deems those people as non-Customs officers and are not expected to sign or authorise any action at any level of the NCS.”

Abdullahi Maiwada, the customs national public relations officer, was quoted as saying on the issue, “We are going to make a formal announcement as to whether there is that development or not.

“We will issue a statement very soon on that. But for now, I don’t have anything to say.”

Updated: Anger in Customs over extension of 12 senior officers’ service years