Customs impound Senator’s smuggled cars

• As Saraki denies ownership of bulletproof SUV

The Compliance Task Force that Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, set up has impounded about 223 vehicles 13 of which belong to a serving Senator from Kano State.
According to the Task Force Zonal Commander, Mr. Bala Dole, the vehicles which belonged to an unnamed Senator included 12 new Toyota Hilux and one Land Cruise Jeep.

He disclosed that the vehicles were trailed from Maigatari in Jigawa, following an intelligence report, indicating they were smuggled into Nigeria via land borders.

“Based on the intelligence report, the vehicles were 30 in number but we were able to trail 13 of them 12 of which were hidden in the senator’s compound. We sealed the house and retrieved the vehicles and they are now in our custody,” Dole said.

The identity of the senator will remain a guessing game for now.

There are three senators representing Kano State.

They are Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Kano central; Barau Jibrin, Kano North and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Kano South. All are representing the All Progressives Congress.

Meanwhile, the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has denied allegations that he imported a bullet proof Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Speaking at an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Saraki said that the said vehicle was not imported by him neither is the vehicle his.

Last week, the media broke with reports alleging that Saraki imported a Bullet Proof SUV which was seized by the Nigerian Customs Service for non-payment of accurate duty on the vehicle.

The reports further alleged that the action of the NSC was the major reason why the Red Chamber went all out for the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) over his new policy on vehicle duty.

Going by the allegation, Sen. Ali Ndume had urged the senate to investigate the allegations with a view to clearing the name of Saraki and saving the integrity of the Senate.

The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee of the Senate by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary on Thursday.