20 university graduates sue nigeria customs to court

NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE

DENIAL OF THE RIGTHS OF 20 UNIVERSITY GRADUATES BY NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE

What world? What a Nation? Where is Nigeria heading to? Can we really achieve the Vision 2020 we are all hoping for? Can the Seven Point Agenda of Mr. President come to reality, with the recent unjust activities of the Nigeria Customs service? Can Nigeria be completely free of corruption, bribery, embezzlement, discrimination, favouritism, ethnicity, “God fatherism” and injustice? How can Nigeria develop where the absolute rights of her citizens are denied? Can we say that the recent unjust attitude of the Nigeria Customs recruitment officers in the recent recruitment of custom officers is contributing to the actualization of Seven Point agenda of Mr. President and the rebranding of Nigeria by Professor Dora akunyili?
In fact, it is very unfortunate to say that the answer to the above pressing questions is capital NO! This is as a result of the recent portraying of Man – to – Man inhumanity by Nigeria customs Service Documentation Officers.
Our Plight goes thus:
With reference to 2008/2009 advertised vacancies by Nigeria Customs service on the internet, daily trust and this days newspapers, we the 45 concerned university graduates were shortlisted and called for screening examination and interview conducted by Nigeria Customs service in respect of our applications as degree holders for the position of Assistant superintendent of Customs (ASC II) on consol 08. But we were finally shortlisted on consol 06 as Assistant Inspector of customs (AIC) General Duty and Marine on the internet, daily trust and this day newspapers of 30th March, 2009, as successful candidates from the examination and interview conducted, and it was clearly published in the newspapers that the appointments is based on the vacancy available and our qualifications presented during the interview, and it was signed by the management of Nigeria Customs service with a certificate of compliance from the Federal Character Commission.
We then accepted the offer by collection of our appointment letters and promptly began our documentation on the 16th April, 2009 as stated in this day newspaper, Monday March, 2009 Vol.14, No. 5090, page Bxiii. We had done everything necessary including filling of documentation forms, signing of acceptance letters and opening of files and undergone the medical fitness test.
Upon submission of our forms and all other documents, some of our original appointment letters were withdrawn from us and the photocopies were signed by documentation officers and returned to us, with the view that we cannot be documented on consol 06 as University graduates and alleged that is contrary to civil service regulations, promising that we shall be upgraded to our ideal ranks before training. But the question now is that, knowing well that placing university graduates under junior rank is contrary to civil service rules, why our names were shortlisted under junior ranks as published on the internet and newspapers as successful candidates and issuance of appointment letters not commensurate with our qualifications?
We have since then anticipate our service numbers but to no avail. We had also written an appeal letter, dated 12th June, 2009, to the Management of Nigeria Customs Service but till today, no official letter or communication has gotten to us. However, it was publicized on the website of Nigeria Customs Service and newspapers that training commenced on 6th of July 2009, which is currently in progress.
In view of this latest development, we gathered that our spaces were sold and replaced with people whose names were not published in the newspapers as successful candidates, who are already in training.
Fellow concerned Nigerians; this is our plight, which is that of a “Cow without Tail”. It is inhuman for our fellow Nigerians to be a stumbling block on the bright future and destiny of the youths who are the leaders and reformers of tomorrow. It is very sympathetic to bring to the notice of all concerned Nigerians that some of us lost our jobs we were managing with before this appointment. Also, some of us almost lost our lives in the course of this struggles from road accidents. It is very disheartening that we have received congratulations from friends, families and well wishers and later on go back into the world of applicant, unemployment, shame and embarrassment.
Then, how can we fight crime, militancy, rebels, terrorism, oil bunkering and kidnapping? Today, we are not surprised why some youths that have attended university education end up in crime because of frustration. Can we say that, it is a crime to be a holder of university degree certificate? Must all Nigerians have a god father in Nigeria Customs service? Can we say this type of injustice by Nigeria Customs service is contributing to Seven Points Agenda of Mr. President of job creation?
Presently, the case was filed in the Federal High Court, Maitama Yesterday 11TH August, 2009 with suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/481/2009 by FESTUS KEYAMO CHAMBERS, 13 NOUAKCHOTT STREET, NEAR BANK PHB, WUSE ZONE 1, ABUJA.
It is on this note; we are calling on all our fellow Nigerians, concerned legal practitioners, relevant agencies, human rights activists, and other interested bodies for justice to be done, so that we can join our colleagues who are presently in training.
We are all calling on you to assist us in order to voice our case to the general public.
Let us all embrace the principle of the rule of law!
Let us all stand against corruption!
Let us all stand for justice!
Let us all join hands to fight for the right of our fellow Nigerians!
Enough is enough!
Let us all support seven Points Agenda of Mr. President!

For further confirmation on this case call 08051829845

Signed
20 University Graduates
08051829845
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