The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has directed the immediate suspension of all ongoing recruitment activities by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), intensifying its oversight of the agency's recruitment process and compliance with federal character principles. The committee also warned that it could invoke constitutional powers against the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, over his alleged repeated failure to honour legislative invitations.
The directive was issued during a committee meeting in Abuja, where lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the continued disregard for the constitutional oversight authority of the National Assembly. According to the committee, several invitations and requests for official documents sent to the NRS over an extended period were either ignored or received no satisfactory response.
Committee Chairman, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, stated that the latest invitation requested Dr. Adedeji to appear before the committee and submit an updated nominal roll of the agency's workforce. However, the NRS Chairman was absent from the meeting, prompting lawmakers to issue a fresh warning.
The committee further raised concerns over recruitment waivers reportedly granted to the NRS by the Federal Character Commission (FCC), despite an earlier directive instructing the commission not to approve such waivers. As a result, lawmakers directed that all recruitment activities relating to the NRS be suspended pending the conclusion of their investigation.
Lawmakers warned that if the NRS leadership continues to disregard legislative invitations, the committee may invoke Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). These constitutional provisions empower the National Assembly to conduct investigations, summon public officials, compel the production of documents, and enforce compliance where necessary.
The latest development highlights the importance of accountability, transparency, and adherence to due process in public sector recruitment. It also underscores the constitutional role of the National Assembly in exercising oversight over government agencies to ensure compliance with federal character principles and other statutory requirements.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigeria Revenue Service has not issued an official public response to the committee's directive or the allegations regarding the Chairman's repeated absence from legislative proceedings. Stakeholders are expected to closely monitor subsequent developments as the matter unfolds.
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