The Committee on Public Petitions of the House of Representatives has summoned the acting Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali, to appear before it on Tuesday to explain how the service handled the sale of impounded vehicles. Ali was supposed to appear before the committee last week, but he did not show up.
The committee was invited to investigate the alleged illegal sale of vehicles by the National Association of Certified Auctioneers (NACA) following a petition by its president, Musa Kurra. He had accused the federal government of selling off hundreds of vehicles at below-market prices through the NCS’ direct auction allocation system.
The National Counter-Smuggling System (NCS) issued a summons to Kurra to appear before its panel on November 8 to present documents related to his allegations that the agency sold seized assets without following due process. However, he refused to comply.
The committee ordered Ali to appear before it in person to explain how the service handled the sale of impounded vehicles. It also asked him to provide 10 hard copies of his brief on the issue.
The letter signed by the committee Chairman, Jerry Alagbaoso, was titled, “Nigeria Association of Auctioneers (petitioner) against Nigeria Customs Service on direct auction allocation of scrap vehicles and other items.’
It read: “Whereas the above-named petition is now pending before this committee and the particulars of the petition aforesaid are already within your knowledge whereas, the petition has been assigned to be heard committee for determination.
“You are hereby required to note sections 88 and 89 (c) of our constitution (as amended) and appear in person before this committee on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 2 pm or so soon thereafter as the committee shall direct. Please, bear in mind the NCDC protocols. Venue: House of Representatives Room 429 (new wing).
“You are to submit one soft copy and 10 hard copies of your brief on the matter. And further take notice that if you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in your absence.’’
Documents obtained by THISDAY indicated that 338 vehicles were sold for N3,380,000 by the Committee on Direct Disposal of Condemned Scrap Vehicles and other items, Customs Headquarters, Abuja.
