Just In: Reps Order Immediate Suspension of NRS Recruitment Over Defiance of Legislative Summons
By Online Editor
The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has directed the immediate suspension of the ongoing recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), citing the agency’s alleged refusal to comply with the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, also condemned what it described as the continued disregard for legislative authority by the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, warning that it may invoke Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to compel compliance.
Sections 88 and 89 empower the National Assembly to investigate public institutions, summon witnesses, compel testimony, and issue warrants where necessary.
Committee Accuses NRS Chairman of Ignoring Multiple Invitations
During its meeting on Wednesday at the National Assembly, Abuja, the committee disclosed that Dr. Adedeji failed to honour its latest invitation despite receiving a letter dated July 15, 2026, requesting his appearance and the submission of a comprehensive nominal roll of NRS personnel.
According to the lawmakers, the latest correspondence followed at least seven previous letters sent between October 2023 and April 2026, all acknowledged by the agency but allegedly ignored.
The committee maintained that the repeated failure of the NRS chairman to appear before lawmakers undermines the constitutional oversight role of the legislature.
FCC Also Under Fire Over Recruitment Waivers
The committee also criticised the Federal Character Commission (FCC) over recruitment waivers reportedly granted to the Nigeria Revenue Service.
Lawmakers noted that they had earlier directed the commission not to approve any recruitment waivers for the NRS, describing the approvals as a direct challenge to the constitutional authority of the House of Representatives.
The Chairman of the FCC, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, also failed to attend the meeting, citing official travel and illness.
However, the committee described her repeated absence as unacceptable and inconsistent with the accountability expected of public office holders.
House Orders Immediate Suspension of Recruitment
Following the development, the committee instructed the Federal Character Commission to immediately suspend all recruitment activities by the Nigeria Revenue Service until both the commission and the NRS leadership appear before lawmakers to explain their actions.
Speaking after the meeting, Wase stressed that no government institution is above the Constitution.
“The National Assembly is the voice of the Nigerian people. Its constitutional oversight powers are not symbolic. They are binding instruments of accountability. No agency, commission, or public official is above the Constitution or beyond the reach of parliamentary oversight,” he said.
The committee further warned that persistent refusal by public officials to honour legislative invitations weakens democratic accountability, erodes public confidence, and undermines the constitutional system of checks and balances.
Fresh Controversy Over NRS Appointments
The latest standoff comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding appointments within the Nigeria Revenue Service.
A January 2026 investigative report alleged that five of the six Executive Directors appointed by the agency violated provisions of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, which requires each executive director to represent a different geopolitical zone and prohibits both the Executive Chairman and an Executive Director from originating from the same state.
The alleged breach has since become the subject of a legal challenge before an Abuja High Court, where the Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria is seeking to stop the affected officials from performing their duties pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The committee reiterated that it would deploy every constitutional and legislative instrument available to ensure full compliance with its directives and preserve the integrity of parliamentary oversight.
