The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has directed the immediate suspension of all recruitment activities by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and warned that it could take constitutional action against the agency's Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, over his repeated failure to appear before the committee.
The directive was issued during a committee meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, July 23, 2026, following concerns over the NRS leadership's refusal to respond to several invitations from lawmakers.
The committee, led by Ahmed Idris Wase, said Adedeji had repeatedly ignored invitations and requests for official documents despite several letters sent to the agency between October 2023 and April 2026.
According to the lawmakers, the latest letter, dated July 15, 2026, requested the NRS chairman to submit an updated nominal roll of the agency and appear before the committee on July 22, but he failed to attend.
Lawmakers said they were prepared to rely on Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to investigate government agencies, summon public officials, demand documents and take further legal steps where necessary.
The committee explained that its investigation focuses on recruitment exercises and waivers reportedly granted to the NRS by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), despite an earlier directive from the House stopping such approvals.
The meeting was also missed by the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran. Although she informed the committee that official travel and illness prevented her attendance, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction, noting that she had also failed to honour previous invitations.
Members of the committee criticised the FCC for approving recruitment waivers for the NRS, describing the action as contrary to the oversight authority of the House of Representatives.
They subsequently instructed the commission to ensure that all ongoing recruitment by the NRS is suspended until both agencies appear before the committee and provide explanations.
Wase maintained that no public institution has the authority to ignore constitutional directives from the National Assembly, adding that oversight remains a key part of ensuring accountability in government.
The committee also stated that continued refusal by government officials to honour legislative invitations weakens democratic institutions, reduces public confidence and affects the constitutional system of checks and balances.
It added that it would use every lawful measure available to ensure compliance.
Meanwhile, sources within the National Assembly suggested that Adedeji's absence may be linked to allegations surrounding previous recruitment and appointment exercises within the NRS.
The development follows an investigative report published in January 2026 alleging that the appointment of five out of the six Executive Directors of the NRS breached provisions of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act.
The law requires each Executive Director to represent a different geopolitical zone and bars the Executive Chairman and any Executive Director from coming from the same state.
The disputed appointments are now before an Abuja High Court in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria.
The case seeks to stop the affected Executive Directors from carrying out their duties until the court reaches a final decision.
The President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Nigeria Revenue Service are listed as defendants in the matter.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!