The Head of the Customs Unit at Mosafejo Aradagun of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nwaeze F.C may face dismissal from the Nigeria Customs Service if found guilty of the alleged acid bath of his salesgirl.
Nwaeze a Chief Superintendent of Customs was said to have allegedly attacked a young lady, Tope Fadipe with acid after a disagreement over money.
Fadipe, who was said to be a salesgirl at a local food business operated by Nwaeze’s family for three years, was attacked by an angry Nwaeze on Friday May 9th, after she argued with him for accusing her of not remitting fifty thousand Naira (N50, 000) into the business account.
The matter was reported at the Badagry Police Station immediately the incident occurred, where Nwaeze had boasted that no one could arrest him. On Saturday, May 10th, a day after the incident, it was gathered that he appeared at the Police Station and had returned shortly afterwards.
The victim, Tope Fadipe, is currently being treated for her severe burns at the Badagry General Hospital where witnesses and doctors say her condition has been deteriorating since the attack.
In a swift reaction, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi, when contacted condemned the alleged crime as not befitting of an officer of Nwaeze’s standing.
According to a press statement issued yesterday by the Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Isa Nuhu, Dikko has ordered full investigation into the matter with a view to ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
Nuhu said the Customs boss has further directed that should the officer be found culpable as alleged, severe disciplinary actions which include dismissal would be taken against him to serve as deterrent to others.
“The CGC and indeed the entire Customs management wish to express their complete resentment with such callous and irresponsible conduct, which certainly is not in the character of Nigeria Customs Service as a disciplined organization.
“We wish to reiterate the zero tolerance of the CGC and his management team to any act of indiscipline or official misdemeanor in whatever guise.
“In view of the need to mitigate the emotional trauma of the family of the victim, the CGC has promised to, if need be, take full responsibility for the medical treatment of the victim even if it entails seeking medical treatment abroad,” he stated.
According to the statement, the officer has been handed over to the Special Criminal Investigation Dept (SCID), Panti in Yaba, Lagos for necessary interrogation, after which the service will set up an in-house disciplinary committee to deal with the issue.
