Court strikes out suit against Ali’s appointment as Customs Boss

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Retired Col. Hameed Ali.

The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday struck out the suit filed by Lagos-based lawyer and rights activist, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, challenging the appointment of Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Justice Muslim Sule Hassan dismissed the case on the ground that Adegboruwa lacked the locus standi to file the suit since he is not a member of the Service.

Justice Hassan stated that the human right lawyer lacks the Locus standi to file the suit because he is not a member of the custom service.

He also held that the President, by the virtue of Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) has the executive power to make appointment.

He consequently struck out the matter.

Adegboruwa had in the suit filed in November last year sought the court’s interpretation as to whether the President can appoint anyone as Comptroller General of Customs without complying with Section 3 of the Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made on March 25, 2002, wherein it was stipulated that only those within the rank of Deputy Comptroller General can be elevated as substantive Comptroller General.