The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has commenced criminal proceedings against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, over alleged breaches of federal character requirements during a recruitment exercise.
The case has reportedly been instituted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following disagreements between the commission and the Customs Service over compliance with statutory recruitment procedures.
According to a statement issued by the FCC’s spokesperson, Lawrence Ademola, the charge was dated November 12, 2026, and registered under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/772/2026.
The commission alleges that the Customs Service committed four violations of the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, in the course of its recruitment exercise.
FCC Accuses Customs of Withholding Recruitment Records
Among the allegations is the failure of the Nigeria Customs Service to provide recruitment documents requested by the commission.
The FCC said it formally sought access to relevant records, including staff nominal rolls, in a letter dated March 25, 2026. However, it claims that the requested information was not provided.
The commission also accused the Service of failing to submit important stages of the recruitment process for monitoring, thereby limiting its ability to assess compliance with federal character requirements.
Another allegation concerns an FCC directive issued on October 23, 2026, which reportedly instructed Customs to suspend specified recruitment and training activities pending a review of the exercise.
The commission claims that the directive was disregarded.
Disagreement Over Recruitment Guidelines
The FCC further alleged that the Customs Service failed to provide comprehensive information explaining the criteria used to select candidates.
According to the commission, clear eligibility requirements and recruitment guidelines are necessary to determine whether employment opportunities have been distributed fairly across Nigeria’s states and geopolitical zones.
It maintains that access to such information is essential to its constitutional responsibility of monitoring appointments and recruitment within federal institutions.
FCC Defends Its Enforcement Powers
The commission has emphasised that its responsibility is not to recruit personnel for government agencies or determine which individuals should receive employment.
Rather, its mandate is to monitor recruitment procedures, examine compliance with federal character principles and take appropriate enforcement measures where violations are established.
The FCC said the decision to pursue legal action reflects its determination to strengthen accountability and ensure fairness in public-sector employment.
It also cited the statutory powers granted to it under the Federal Character Commission Act, including provisions relating to legal proceedings against institutions and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
The commission’s position is that no government institution should operate outside the rules designed to promote equitable representation in public appointments.
Recruitment Controversy Behind the Legal Battle
The legal action follows growing controversy surrounding the Nigeria Customs Service’s 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, which attracted more than 573,000 applications.
The Service eventually published a list of 3,852 successful candidates across the Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres in July 2026.
However, complaints emerged after some applicants whose names appeared on the published lists reportedly failed to receive invitations to attend the subsequent training programme.
The Federal Character Commission subsequently questioned the transparency of the process and demanded access to recruitment records.
Customs, on its part, maintained that appearing on the published shortlist did not automatically guarantee employment, as candidates were still required to undergo additional verification and screening.
The Service also disclosed that 397 applicants had been screened out over issues involving age, medical fitness, substance use and documentation.
It subsequently announced a case-by-case review of complaints from affected applicants, with assurances that candidates found to have been wrongly excluded could be reconsidered.
Omidiran Pledges Stronger Federal Character Compliance
The FCC said the prosecution is part of its broader efforts under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, to promote transparency and equitable access to employment opportunities across the country.
The commission maintains that federal character principles are essential to ensuring that no state or section of the country is unfairly disadvantaged in appointments into federal institutions.
The latest legal development could further intensify the disagreement between the two federal institutions, particularly as questions remain over the recruitment records, the treatment of shortlisted applicants and the extent of compliance with the commission’s monitoring requirements.
The allegations against the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller-General are yet to be determined by the court. The institution of criminal proceedings does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence under Nigerian law.
