Kehinde Fajobi
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, to appear on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, over allegations that some senior officers have refused to retire despite reaching their due dates.
A petition by the Obasi-Pherson Help Foundation accused several Assistant Comptrollers and Comptrollers of illegally remaining in service.
In a statement on Wednesday, February 12, by Chooks Oko, the Committee’s Head of Media, listed the concerned officers as Imam, Umar, and Egwu, all Assistant Comptrollers, and Awe, Fatia, and Faith, all Comptrollers.
Committee Chairman Mike Etaba said the Customs boss must provide clarity on the matter.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth of the matter, and only the CG can clarify the situation. We are elected to serve the people and ensure that all government agencies function effectively as part of that service.
“In this era, when most of our youths are seeking employment, it is unfair for those due for retirement to refuse to leave,” he said.
He added that the Committee would remain impartial. “That is not to say we shall take sides—far from it. We treat each case on merit, ensuring that justice is served at all times to those who deserve it.”
In a related development, the Committee has warned that it may order the arrest of the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, if she fails to appear in person to respond to allegations of breaching a contract with Truid Limited, a private software firm.
Truid Limited alleged that it funded, developed, and deployed a tokenisation system for NIMC under a 10-year agreement starting in 2021, with no financial obligation on the commission.
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The company was to recover its investment through service providers’ patronage, with proceeds shared on an agreed ratio. However, the petition claims that the new NIMC DG has attempted to terminate the deal.
Etaba condemned Coker-Odusote’s repeated absence despite multiple invitations.
“If she fails to appear at the next hearing, we will have no option but to direct the Inspector General of Police to compel her attendance. How can a government official treat a constituted authority with such levity? We will no longer condone such behaviour,” he warned.