Reps Committee Orders NRS To Suspend Recruitment, Threatens Constitutional Action Against Adedeji

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has condemned what it described as the continued disregard for the constitutional authority of the National Assembly by the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji.

The committee also directed the immediate suspension of all recruitment by the NRS, warning that it would invoke Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution if the revenue service boss continues to ignore its directives. While Section 88 empowers the National Assembly to investigate corruption, inefficiency, and waste in government, Section 89 grants it the power to summon witnesses, compel testimony, and issue warrants.

Speaking at the committee’s meeting at the National Assembly in Abuja, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, said the latest directive followed Dr Adedeji’s repeated refusal to honour legislative invitations.

According to the committee, a letter dated July 15, 2026, titled “Request for Nominal Roll/Invitation to Meeting,” requested the NRS Chairman to submit a comprehensive and up-to-date nominal roll of the service and appear before the committee on Wednesday. He, however, failed to attend.

The committee noted that the latest invitation followed seven previous letters, all acknowledged by the NRS, but allegedly ignored. The letters were dated October 13, 2023; November 7, 2023; March 14, 2024; July 3, 2024; July 16, 2024; and April 1, 2026.

Lawmakers accused the NRS Chairman of consistently failing to respond appropriately to the committee’s requests despite acknowledging receipt of the correspondence.

The dispute also centres on controversial recruitment waivers reportedly granted by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to the NRS. The committee recalled that it had expressly directed the FCC not to grant any approvals or waivers to the revenue service.

The Chairman of the FCC, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, was also absent from Wednesday’s meeting, citing official travel and illness. However, the committee described her repeated failure to honour invitations as unacceptable and inconsistent with the standards of accountability expected of public office holders.

The lawmakers further described the FCC’s decision to grant recruitment waivers to the NRS as a direct affront to the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the House of Representatives.

Consequently, the committee directed the FCC to immediately suspend all recruitment activities being conducted by the Nigeria Revenue Service until its leadership appears before the panel to explain its actions and comply with the oversight process.

Wase stressed that the House would not allow public institutions to decide which constitutional directives to obey.

“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 warned that the persistent refusal of public officials to honour legislative invitations undermines democratic governance, erodes public confidence and weakens the constitutional system of checks and balances.

It reaffirmed its determination to deploy all constitutional and legislative measures available to enforce compliance with its lawful directives.

Meanwhile, sources within the National Assembly alleged that Dr Adedeji’s refusal to appear before the committee may be linked to alleged violations of recruitment and appointment procedures within the NRS.