The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hammed Ali, a retired Colonel, has given officers and men of the agency 14 days to declare their assets in a new measure aimed at ensuring transparency and compliance with the law.

A statement signed by the Customs spokesman, wale Adeniyi, said the directive on assets declaration was issued through a circular signed by Ali and addressed to all Deputy Comptrollers-General, Zonal Coordinators and Customs Area Controllers.

The circular said that all officers and men of the Customs are expected to comply with the directive within 14 days.

Adeniyi said that the directive is in compliance with the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, noting that although the Act provides for asset declaration by all bank employees, “it also empowers the President to extend its application to other categories of persons”.

Section 12 (1) states that “The provision of this Act shall apply to the Comptroller-General, Deputy Comptroller-General, Assistant Comptroller-General, Chief Collector, Principal Collector and other Officer, Staff or employee of the Nigeria Customs Service as the apply to a Chief Executive or an employee of a Bank”.

The statement by the Customs spokesman observed that many Officers have not complied with the provisions of the Act over the years, but warned that the 14 day ultimatum will be strictly enforced.