The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has instituted criminal proceedings against the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, over alleged violations of its Act during the Service's 2025/2026 recruitment exercise. The case, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, concerns four alleged violations of the Federal Character Commission Act.
According to the FCC, the charge, dated Nov. 12, 2026, followed efforts to obtain recruitment records and monitor compliance with federal character principles. The Commission alleged that Customs failed to provide requested recruitment records, including nominal rolls, despite a formal request dated March 25, 2026.
The FCC also accused the Service of failing to submit relevant stages of the recruitment exercise for monitoring and disregarding its Oct. 23, 2026 directive, which required Customs to suspend specified recruitment and training activities pending the Commission's review of the exercise.
Furthermore, the Commission alleged that the Service failed to provide clear recruitment criteria and comprehensive eligibility guidelines needed to assess vacancy distribution across states and geopolitical zones. The FCC maintains that monitoring recruitment, accessing relevant records, and ensuring equitable representation are statutory responsibilities that public institutions must fulfil.
The FCC derives its prosecutorial authority from Section 5(2) of the FCC Act, which empowers it to institute legal proceedings, including prosecution, against persons or bodies failing to comply with the Act. Section 4(1)(c) further empowers the Commission to prosecute heads or staff members of government ministries, departments, and agencies that fail to comply with prescribed federal character principles or formulae.
The Commission said the prosecution reflected its determination, under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Mrs Hulayat Omidiran, to ensure transparency, fairness, and equitable distribution of employment opportunities. The FCC's mandate is not to recruit on behalf of government agencies but to monitor, assess, and enforce compliance with federal character requirements.
The FCC's action is a significant step towards ensuring that public institutions comply with federal character principles, promoting fairness and equity in employment opportunities. The Commission's efforts aim to address concerns of marginalization and unequal representation in government agencies, promoting national unity and integration.
Key points
- The FCC has instituted criminal proceedings against the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, over alleged violations of its Act during the 2025/2026 recruitment exercise.
- The Commission alleged that Customs failed to provide requested recruitment records, disregarded its directive, and failed to provide clear recruitment criteria and comprehensive eligibility guidelines.
- The FCC's prosecution aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and equitable distribution of employment opportunities, promoting national unity and integration.
