LAGOS SEPTEMBER 16TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali (RTD) may be on his way out of office today (16/9/2016) if a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos deliver judgment against his appointment as custom boss.
A human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has instituted a suit in November 2015 before Justice Sule Hassan to sought the interpretation of the court as to whether the President could appoint anyone as comptroller-general of customs without complying with Section 3 of the Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made on March 25, 2002.
He argued that the said gazette stipulated that only those within the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs could be elevated as substantive Comptroller-General.
Adegboruwa asked the court to nullify the appointment.
In response to the case, the Nigeria Customs Service filed a preliminary objection dated April 29, 2016 challenging the locus standi (legal right) of the applicant to file and maintain the suit.
The Customs Service contended further that Adegboruwa’s suit was a mere academic exercise raising hypothetical questions that the court must not entertain.
The court heard arguments from counsels to the parties on June 15 and adjourned for judgment.
The judgment is now slated to be delivered on September 16.