The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has deemed it fit at this time ti intervene in the show of power between the Senate and the Comptroller-General of the Customs, Hameed Ali.
The Senate revealed the move in a press release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Tuesday.
“We have watched the issues with growing concern and the expectations that they would be resolved in a manner that would be agreeable to all the parties involved, Abdullahi noted.
“However, we wish to state that at this point, we have found it necessary to intervene. Accordingly, the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun will lead the party’s peace mission to the Leadership of the National Assembly and the concerned party member.
“We are confident that the party’s effort to broker peace would resolve the matter amicably.”
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that Colonel Hamid Ali (retired) will not appear before the Senate on Wednesday.
Ali made his intention known in a letter addressed to the National Assembly.
He said that he would not be able to appear before the Senate on 22nd March 017 as scheduled.
The Customs boss who was to appear before the Senate in an official uniform of the customs service said he is acting on a legal advice he received from the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami asking all parties involved with the Senate’s invitation to stay action pending the determination of an originating summons filed by one Mohammed Ibrahim.
A source at the headquarters of the Customs Service said an official letter had been despatched to the National Assembly over the legal advice.
A legal practitioner has asked the Federal High Court Abuja to restrain the National Assembly from compelling the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) to wear uniform in the performance of his duties.
The suit, filed this week, named Ali, the NCS, the National Assembly, the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as first to fifth defendants.
The plaintiff, Mohammed Ibrahim is seeking for a court declaration that Ali’s appointment as Customs boss cannot be subject to the provisions of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) or any other law.
A declaration that Ali who is not a commissioned officer of the NCS is not mandated by law to wear uniform and that the oversight functions of the National Assembly does not extend to compelling and mandating him to appear before it in uniform.
The plaintiff is also asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining both the NASS and the Senate from compelling Ali to wear uniform in the performance of his duties.