A call for action has been made by the Societal Safety Network (SSN), urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the growing scandal at the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). According to a statement released by the group, the continued presence of retired officers in key positions within the NCS is severely undermining the integrity of the agency.
The civil society group emphasized that the situation is jeopardizing not only the credibility of the NCS but also the transparency and rule of law that are supposed to guide such crucial government institutions.
In a public statement issued on Thursday, SSN Director of Public Communication, Asuku Sunday, strongly condemned the refusal of top officers due for retirement to step down. These officers, some of whom have already reached the end of their service years, are reportedly lobbying for an extension of their tenure, further complicating the situation within the NCS.
“President Bola Tinubu must act decisively to restore order and credibility to the Nigerian Customs Service,” the statement read.
Sources close to the NCS have confirmed that a number of high-ranking officials, including Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs), Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs), Comptrollers, and Deputy Comptrollers, have refused to go on retirement leave, despite their service years being over. These officials are allegedly continuing to report to work, despite their legal obligation to retire.
According to SaharaReporters, some of the implicated officers include ACG B. Imam, ACG I.G. Umar, ACG I.Q. Ogbudu, Compt. M.T. Awe, and Compt. K.R. Kolade. These individuals are said to have breached the NCS Act of 2023 by failing to leave office and by lobbying for service extensions, which violates both the law and the norms of the civil service.
The SSN warned that the refusal of these officers to retire is causing significant disruption to the organizational structure of the NCS. New officers who have been promoted are being blocked from assuming their roles, while fresh talent is being prevented from joining the service, which is essential for bringing in new perspectives and fostering growth.
“This violation of the NCS Act 2023 and civil service rules has far-reaching implications. It disrupts the structure and prevents progress within the Service,” said the SSN in its statement.
The civil society group also stressed the potential long-term damage that this scandal could cause to the reputation of the NCS. The continued presence of these retired officers, especially amid allegations of accumulating wealth during their tenure, is seen as morally compromising for the entire agency. The NCS is being accused of failing to enforce discipline, which could lead to a lack of public confidence in the agency’s ability to carry out its duties effectively.
In light of these issues, the SSN has called for immediate action from President Tinubu. The group has demanded that the Comptroller-General (CG) of the NCS make a public statement about the status of these officers and provide clarity on their future in the service. The SSN has also threatened to escalate the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) if no action is taken within seven working days.
In its statement, the SSN outlined the steps it believes the president should take to restore order in the NCS:
- Ensure Compliance with Retirement Laws: The SSN urged Tinubu to direct all officers due for retirement to proceed immediately, in accordance with the law, and to prevent any further delays.
- Strengthen Leadership Oversight: The group called for stronger leadership oversight, warning against the same shortcomings observed in previous administrations, which allowed the situation to worsen.
- Uphold Meritocracy: The SSN emphasized the importance of promoting younger officers, who are expected to bring innovation and energy into the NCS, and contribute to reforms in the service.
The refusal of retired officers to vacate their posts is not just an administrative issue; it is a crisis that is eroding the core values of the NCS. The SSN believes that President Tinubu must act swiftly to ensure that the Nigerian Customs Service can function properly, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and the national interest.
“The continued presence of these officers, especially those accused of wealth accumulation during their tenure, tarnishes the image of the Nigerian Customs Service and undermines the public’s trust in the service,” the SSN said in its release.
