The Citizen Initiative for Good Governance (CIGG), a civil society organisation (CSO), has called on the national assembly to reject any attempt to extend the tenure of Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Adeyemi Akande, national convener of the group, said the current customs leadership has created loopholes that encourage corruption and revenue leakages.
Akande also accused the leadership of promoting officers based on bribery rather than merit.
“The comptroller-general of customs was politically installed instead of appointing competent hands,” the statement reads.
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“He has functioned more as a public relations figure than an effective administrator.”
He said several senior officers are lobbying for illegal tenure extensions, which, according to him, has led to discontent and stagnation within the ranks.
Akande cautioned that tenure extension for retired officers undermines civil service rules, entrenches mediocrity and fuels corruption and urged the federal government to order a forensic audit of customs operations and financial records.
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He called for the immediate setup of an independent auction committee and investigation into dormant and costly digital platforms allegedly acquired by past and present customs leaders.
He also questioned the decision to establish a Customs University in Badagry, Lagos, instead of improving the existing Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
He demanded an investigation into the amount of public funds spent on the university project and also called for a probe into the state of marine operations, including jetties, bases, and patrol equipment.
“The national assembly’s oversight role has been weak. They appear indifferent to what will increase customs revenue or benefit the federation account,” he said.
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Akande said only urgent reforms and legislative intervention can rescue the service from “deepening rot”.
On June 20, the NCS warned the public against fake recruitment and auction offers linked to the agency.
Abdullahi Maiwada, NCS national public relations officer, issued the warning during a press briefing at the service’s headquarters in Abuja.
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