Although they unanimously agreed that the constitution is silent on the subject, the SANs advised Ali to have a rethink and wear the uniform. In a response to our correspondent’s question on the subject, a SAN, Chief Mike Ezekhome, said: rong>“ “Even if wearing Customs uniform was not legally compulsory, wearing uniform instills in the wearer and his peers, a unique sense of identity, security, pride, unity, belonging, responsibility, espirit de corps and team work. “The law governing Nigerian Customs is the Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap 45, LFN, 2004. Although CEMA is silent as to whether it is mandatory for the Comptroller General of Custom (CGC) to wear uniform, however, the Customs and Excise Preventive Service Regulations made pursuant to CEMA, make specific reference to uniform. He must therefore comply with the provisions of both the Act and the Regulations, by wearing of the uniform of Customs, as a Para-Military Agency that even handles weapons. Not to wear the uniform is to blatantly undermine the very laws and foundation of his appointment, by disobeying the Rules and Regulations governing the appointment.” In a telephone chat, another SAN, Chief Ladi Williams, also enjoined the Customs’ boss to wear his uniform. He said: “The law is silent on this but all officers of such parastatals are enjoined to wear uniform especially if the occasion demands it. A medical doctor who wants to go into the theatre room for an operation must wear uniform. The same thing applies to lawyers. The position the CGC is unnecessary. The legislature is an arm of government. The CGC is part of the executive that needs to work with the legislature for the purpose of moving the country forward. Therefore, if the senate insists that he wears the uniform, so be it. If he feels too big for the job, he should resign. What is he trying to prove by denying the senate? While flaying the senate for giving too much attention to the uniform issue, a SAN, Kemi Phineiro said: “No agency or individual should defy the authority of the senate. It is not right for anybody to refuse their summon. We must not undermine the constitution by doing such.”]]>

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