Another Batch Of 29 Senior Officers Of Nigeria Customs Service Has Been Shown The Way Out In The Ongoing Exercise To Rid The Service Of ‘Bad Eggs’.

A statement signed by Custom’s spokesperson, Wale Adeniyi, stated that the dismissed officers are among 44 senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security.

Recall that 17Junior officers were also dismissed from the service last week, for various offences, including bribery, drug addiction, use of fake certificates and absence from duty.

In addition to the sacked senior custom personnel, “Ten other officers were retired from Service, while the appointment of one was terminated,” the statement added.

“Four officers were given written warnings to be of better conduct while another 4 officers who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated.”

Adeniyi also stated that “Four of the officers who got the hammer were of the rank of Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, while five were Assistant-Comptroller.

“Others were seven Chief Superintendents of Customs and four Superintendents, among others,” the statement read.

The customs spokesman reiterated the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hammed Ali to rid the service of corrupt and undisciplined officers.

He added that the Customs had strengthened its structure and process for investigation of offences in order to handle reported cases promptly and professionally.

At a management meeting to consider the report of the disciplinary committee, the Comptroller General said: “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.”

He added that “the process leading to the actions taken on the officers was painstaking in line with the Public Service Rules, as 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, … and 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 also warned officers that punitive sanctions will continue to be used to discipline officers who refuse to embrace change.

The dismissed senior officers were accused of: “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.”