By Godfrey Bivbere & Ifeyinwa Obi

Twenty-nine  senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been dismissed for various acts of gross misconduct.

The dismissed officers are among 44 senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security.

Ten  other officers were retired from service, while the appointment of one was terminated. Four  officers were given written warnings to be of better conduct while another four officers who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated.

Four  of the officers who got the hammer were of the rank of Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, while five  were Assistant-Comptrollers General.

Others were seven  Chief Superintendents of Customs and four  Superintendents, among others.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Customs Sevice,Mr Wale Adeniyi.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) made it clear upon his assumption of duties that the service will not compromise on corruption and indiscipline among the officers corps.

In line with this, the structure and process for investigation of offences was strengthened to handle cases reported promptly and professionally.

“We will give all officers fair hearing in line with the principle of natural justice. We will however insist that sanctions be punitive, not only to match the offence committed, but to serve as deterrent to others”, the CGC remarked at management meeting convened to consider the report of the disciplinary committee that investigated the cases.

The statement reads in part; “The process leading to the actions taken on the officers was painstaking in line with the Public Service Rules (PSR). All the officers were served with queries indicating offences committed, before they made appearances before the Special Investigation Committee. The Committee’s recommendation was discussed and approved by the Customs Management.