Less
than a week after sacking 17 junior officers, the Nigeria Customs Service on
Thursday announced the dismissal of 29 senior officers, including four deputy
comptrollers and five assistant comptrollers.
Others
affected in the latest purge are seven chief superintendents and four
superintendents of customs. Ten other officers were retired from the service.
According
to a statement signed by the Customs’ Deputy Comptroller/Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, the 29 senior officers were sacked for various acts
of gross misconduct.
He
said the dismissed senior officers were among the 44 officers who were punished
for actions capable of compromising national economy and security.
The
officers affected were said to have been involved in unlawful acts such as
improper examination and release of containers without proper documentation and
payment of duties; illegal release of goods before the arrival of vessels;
fraudulent sale of seized items; and use of fake certificates and bribery to
secure auctioned goods or release prohibited items.
The
statement explained, “All the officers were served with queries indicating the
offences committed before they made appearances before the Special
Investigation Committee.
“The
committee’s recommendation was discussed and approved by the Customs
management. The recommendation was thereafter referred to the Presidency for
ratification in the absence of a substantive Board of the Nigeria Customs
Service. All the officers affected in the exercise have been communicated
accordingly.
“The
comptroller-general warned officers that punitive sanctions will continue to be
used to discipline officers who refuse to embrace change.”
The
NCS had said the 17 junior officers earlier dismissed committed offences
ranging from drug addiction to certificate forgery, theft and absence from
duty.
Source:The Punch
Tags
Business