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The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges directed the Nigeria Customs Service to return the bags of rice and money which its officials allegedly seized recently from some shops in the Oja Oba market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Senate Committee at its sitting, condemned the act and described it as totally unacceptable.

The panel then asked the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, represented by his Assistant Comptroller General, Garba Mohammed, to ensure that the seized goods were returned to the affected traders within two weeks.

It also directed that their shops should be unlocked while money taken from the shops must be equally returned.

Members of the panel were unanimous in their condemnation of the NCS, insisting that its action was a breach of the Customs Act and the Executive Order signed by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007.

The legislation empowers the agency to only impound smuggled goods, 40 kilometers radius to the border.

Punch