The Nigeria Customs Service has denied a media report that Comptroller-General Hameed Ali slumped while praying in the office on Wednesday and was flown abroad for medical treatment.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, signed by Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the NCS spokesman.
Mr. Bomodi said the report was false as Ali was hale and hearty and that he was on leave.
“The attention of the NCS has been drawn to an online report stating that the Comptroller General of Customs has slumped and was consequently flown abroad for medical treatment.
“To put the records straight, Ali is hale and hearty and not ill as reported by the unnamed online media outlet.
“The CG, who throughout his tenure, has sacrificed his time and energy to drive the reforms agenda of this administration has earned remarkable successes in restructuring and raising unprecedented revenues for the service.
“We know that some persons are trying to take advantage of his absence resulting from a well-earned official leave to stir unnecessary controversy in the polity.
“This will not distract NCS management from carrying out its brief as it seeks to rebuild a world-class institution worthy of the prayers and support of all Nigerians,” the statement read.
Bomodi reassured all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians that all was well with the comptroller general, warning that any falsehood would attract legal consequences.
