FCC Drags Customs CG to Court Over Alleged Recruitment Violations
Oru Leonard
The Federal Character Commission (FCC), has instituted criminal proceedings against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, over alleged violations of the Federal Character Act in the Service’s 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.
The case, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, under Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/772/2026, involves four alleged violations of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, Cap. F7, LFN 2004.
According to a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, Ademola Lawrence, the charge, dated November 12, 2026, followed the Commission’s efforts to obtain recruitment records, monitor the exercise and ensure compliance with the Federal Character principle.
The Commission alleged that the Nigeria Customs Service failed to provide requested recruitment records, including nominal rolls, despite a formal request dated March 25, 2026.
It further accused the Service of failing to submit relevant stages of its recruitment exercise to the Commission for monitoring, as required by law.
Other allegations include failure to comply with the Commission’s directive of October 23, 2026, ordering the suspension of specified recruitment and training activities pending a review.
The FCC also alleged that the Customs Service failed to provide clear recruitment criteria and comprehensive eligibility guidelines, thereby making it difficult for the Commission to determine the state and geopolitical distribution of available vacancies.
Reaffirming its statutory responsibilities, the Commission stressed that monitoring recruitment, accessing relevant records and ensuring equitable representation in public appointments were legal obligations that government institutions must respect.
Under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, the FCC declared that it would not compromise its oversight responsibilities or allow any public institution to disregard the Federal Character principle.
The Commission clarified that it was not a recruitment agency and had no responsibility for conducting recruitment on behalf of government institutions.
Rather, it explained that its mandate was to monitor, assess and enforce compliance with the Federal Character principle in public appointments and recruitment to ensure fairness, equity and national representation.
According to the statement, the Commission requires access to relevant recruitment records, clearly defined eligibility criteria and opportunities to monitor recruitment processes to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
It maintained that these requirements were statutory obligations and not administrative favours that Ministries, Departments and Agencies could choose to grant or withhold.
“The Commission cannot effectively discharge this responsibility without access to relevant recruitment records, clearly defined eligibility criteria and the opportunity to monitor recruitment processes,” the statement said.
The FCC further declared that no Ministry, Department or Agency was above the law or exempt from its statutory oversight responsibilities.
Explaining the rationale behind the legal action, the Commission said it was determined to move beyond policy declarations and political assurances to demand verifiable compliance with the Federal Character principle.
It noted that equity in public employment must be demonstrated through transparent procedures, recruitment records, verifiable criteria and fair distribution of employment opportunities across states and geopolitical zones.
The Commission added that it would not abdicate its responsibilities because of institutional pressure, administrative inconvenience or the status of any public office holder.
While assuring Nigerians of its commitment to carrying out its mandate without fear or favour, the FCC said it would respect due process, the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional rights of all parties.
The Commission disclosed that the matter was now before the Federal High Court and would allow the judicial process to take its course.
It reiterated that public institutions must remain accountable, recruitment processes transparent and every Nigerian entitled to a fair opportunity in the public service, irrespective of state of origin or geopolitical zone.
