Court Hears Case Challenging Of Appointment NRS Executive Directors

An Abuja High Court has commenced hearing on a suit challenging the legality of the appointment of Executive Directors (EDs) of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), following allegations that the process breached due process and statutory provisions.

The suit, numbered CV/462/26, was filed by a civil society organisation, Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria, which sought the nullification of the appointments and the dissolution of the NRS management board.

The group contended that the appointments were carried out “in violation of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025,” and failed to meet constitutional requirements on transparency, merit, and procedural approval, allegations the defendants were expected to contest.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

Counsel to the claimant, Peter O. Abang, argued that the President’s action “undermines the integrity of the agency and public confidence in its operations,” insisting that the appointments contravened both the Constitution and the enabling Act establishing the Service.

The claimant is urging the court to determine whether, by virtue of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), all Acts of the National Assembly are binding on all authorities, including the President and whether any authority can selectively choose which provisions to obey.

The court was asked to determine whether the mandatory provisions of Section 17(1) of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 were followed in appointing the Executive Directors.

Specifically, the claimant argued the law would be a violation if the President lacked legal authority to appoint the officials without strict compliance with the statutory qualifications and procedures.

Those whose appointments were being challenged include, Muhammad A. Lawal, Amina Ado Kurawa, Shettima Tamadi, Obinna Ihedioha, Iniabasi Akpan, and Bolaji Akintola, who were listed as the 4th to 9th defendants in the case.

According to the claimant, their appointments were made “in gross violation” of the law, as they allegedly do not meet the qualifications stipulated under Section 17(1) of the Act.

The civil society group is asking the court to declare that all Acts of the National Assembly are binding on all persons and authorities, including the President, the President cannot appoint any person as Executive Director of the NRS without complying with the mandatory provisions of the law and that the appointments of the 4th to 9th defendants are “illegal, unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”

The claimant further sought an order nullifying the appointments of the six Executive Directors and directing the President to withdraw their appointments, as well as a mandatory injunction compelling compliance with Section 17(1) of the NRS Establishment Act in future appointments.

It is also asking for an order restraining the affected officials from performing any functions or parading themselves as Executive Directors of the NRS pending the determination of the substantive suit.