Anambra streets are currently rocked by protests with aggrieved Nigerians demanding that Hameed Ali, the embattled head of the Nigerian Customs Service, must be sacked.
The protest came few hours after senators again blew hot over Ali’s refusal to honour their invitation with claims that he was bereaved.
Hameed Ali has been running what analysts think is a superiority battle with the Senate
The protesters, according to the Eagle Online, took over streets in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra state and is being coordinated by civil society organizations.
The protesters reportedly said the Ali was tired of his job and needed to go.
The aggrieved further said Nigerians are not happy with the controversial custom duty planned to be imposed on cars in the country.
Ali is currently on the hot seat for allegedly disrespecting the Senate. Though he visited Bukola Saraki, the Senate president late Tuesday, March 14, tempers are said to have risen on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday when he did not turn-up.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Customs Service has suspended the policy on duties for vehicle.
Buhari met with Saraki late Tuesday, March 14 to intervene concerning Ali
A statement signed by Joseph Attah, the acting public relations officer of the NCS, said: Following the unnecessary tension generated as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the Nigeria Customs Service planned motor duty payment, the leadership of the National Assembly and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd) met with a view to resolving the impasse.
“They both agreed that the proposed motor duty payment, though in line with the provision of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45, LFN 2004 should be put on hold while the Senate Committee on Customs & Excise interfaces with the NCS for further discussions.
“While payment of duty on vehicles or indeed any dutiable imported item remains a civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian, NCS management has directed that the exercise be put on hold while expressing readiness to engage the Senate committee on further discussions to bring them on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy,” the statement said.
While some Nigerians think Ali should go, others wondered why it should be the Igbos that would protest against the appointee.
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