Age controversy surrounds acting Customs CG's appointment

The appointment of Wale Adeniyi as the acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service has stirred a debate over his age and eligibility for the role.

Telescope.ng reports that an investigation led by Anabel Crown, the head of the Global Information Team, has raised questions about Adeniyi’s age and whether he should have retired based on established public service rules.

The inquiry reveals that Adeniyi completed his secondary education in 1979, which was 44 years ago, adding that he is believed to be 65 years old, surpassing the stipulated retirement age of 60 in Nigeria’s public service.

The public service regulations dictate a maximum of 35 years of service before retirement.

In light of these findings, the Global Information Team is urging President Bola Tinubu to promptly relieve Adeniyi of his position as the Customs CG and appoint a suitable candidate in alignment with the nation’s interests and the government’s anti-corruption stance.

The group asserts that the prevalence of age falsification among top government officials to prolong their tenure is alarming, saying that the public deserves clear answers to some essential questions.

It said: “There have been insinuations about age falsification on the part of top government functionaries to remain in office. It is a very simple question the customs acting Comptroller General must answer.

”We are in a digital age where nothing is hidden. Like we emphasised earlier, he finished his secondary school in 1979, how old was he then? At the conclusion of university, how old was he? How old was he when joined the customs? And when was he born? And how old is he now? Nigerians want to know.

The group further stated: “It is alleged that he was not the most qualified person to head the custom having attained the rank of a Deputy Controller General whose mates have long retired. Stagnancy in service agencies like customs deprived other promising officers of getting elevation to their next ranks.

“When the customs, immigration and prisons service board was active, promotions were constant without fear or favour but with the movement of the customs to the Finance ministry things changed.

“The CG had worked in Nigeria Railway Corporation before joining the Customs. If this is true, adding the years he worked in NRC before joining customs it means he has spent more than thirty-five years in service.”