AS part of measures to ensure transparency and compliance with the rule of law, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has directed its personnel to make full disclosure of their assets.

A statement issued by NCS Public Relation Officer, Wale Adeniyi explained that the  directive on assets declaration is contained in a circular, signed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and addressed to all Deputy Comptrollers-General, Zonal Coordinators and Customs Area Controllers. All Officers are to comply with the directive within 14 days.

According to the circular, the directive on assets declaration is in compliance with “The Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, adding that “ Though the Act provides for asset declaration by all Bank employees, it also empowers the President to extend its application to other categories of persons”.

It explained that section 12 (1) states that “The provision of this Act shall apply to the Comptroller-General, Deputy Comptroller-General, Assistant Comptroller-General, Chief Collector, Principal Collector and other Officer, Staff or employee of the Nigeria Customs Service as they apply to a Chief Executive or an employee of a Bank”.

According to Adeniyi, the  Comptroller-General observed that many officers have not complied with the provisions of the Act over the years, stating that the 14-day altimatum for compliance will be strictly enforced.