The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied allegations from the civil society group Societal Safety Network (SSN), accusing senior officers of flouting mandatory retirement procedures.

Naija News reports that the NCS described these claims as unfounded and misleading.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the SSN alleged that certain officers were deliberately ignoring provisions of the 2023 Customs Act and civil service rules by refusing to proceed on terminal leave.

The group raised concerns about the impact of this alleged non-compliance on leadership integrity and organizational structure within the service.

Sunday Asuku, the SSN spokesperson, emphasized the potential consequences, warning that such actions could escalate into a scandal harmful to the NCS’s reputation.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, ensuring adherence to retirement laws and fostering meritocracy within the agency.

Asuku said, “The refusal of senior officers due for retirement to vacate their offices disrupts the organizational structure of the NCS.

“It blocks newly promoted officers from assuming their roles and hampers the recruitment of new personnel. This is especially concerning at a time when the Tinubu administration is focused on reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria.”

While commending recent reforms initiated by the Comptroller-General of Customs, the SSN cautioned that these advancements could be jeopardized if the alleged violations were not promptly addressed.

“This is a brewing scandal, and if not addressed promptly, it will tarnish the image of the NCS,” Asuku warned.

In response, NCS spokesperson Abubakar Maiwada dismissed the accusations as baseless.

“They are just trying to be excessively proactive. Nothing of such is happening in the service.

“I am currently in the office, and I haven’t seen any officer who is supposed to be retired still on seat,” Maiwada said.