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FIRS: Senate summons Nami over alleged recruitment scandal

Published

5 years ago

August 27, 2020

BARRING any last minute hitch, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Mohammed Nami, would be making an appearance before the Senate Committee on Public Petitions to answer questions bothering the alleged recruitment scandal at the tax agency.

Nami had been accused of favouring his Nupe relatives by appointing them coordinating directors in the Service.

But Nami argued that the retirement of the directors and appointment of new ones did not contravene the Civil Service rules.

It added that their appointments followed due process, and are in line with the extant laws of the service.

Last May, a petition was submitted to the Committee by aggrieved directors who have been up in arms with the management of the service since their “untimely” retirement.

In the petition, the retired directors reaffirmed their position that their retirement was untimely, and happened “in violation of laid down government policies on retirement and recruitment of director cadre staff by any agency of the federal government”.

Unfortunately, the petition has not been attended to “because of the lockdown imposed by COVID-19”, a source at the National Assembly said.

“(But) the petition will soon be attended to by the committee as leaders of the Senate have been asking for it to be brought forward,” the source said.

The Senate would be looking at six issues when it reconvenes from recess.

The first will be whether FIRS, under Nami, truly appointed four contract staff, namely: Ahmed Musa, Mustapha Ndajumo, Ahmed Ndanusa and Abdullahi Ismaila – who are all of Nupe extraction without following due process.

The committee will also be determining how they subsequently became substantive directors of FIRS within a record period of four months.

Tied to the above is the appropriateness of their appointments into an organisation like FIRS with a retinue of qualified staff available to fill the positions they were appointed into.

Also for determination by the Senate committee is whether the provisions of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures, HRPP, was adhered to in the consummation of the contract appointment, and subsequent statutory elevation to the position of directors.

The subsisting policy and regulation on which the directors were allegedly retired by Nami and his recruitment of new staff to replace the retired directors were the issues at stake.

While the retired directors said that Nami relied on an old civil service rule, which had been suspended to remove them, Nami, on the other hand, said his decision to retire the directors and hire new staff to replace them followed a decision taken by the Board of the agency in March 2020.

But the unlawfully retired directors seem to have a solid argument behind their claim on untimely retirement, and are favoured by extant rules, regulations and policy of the federal government, as well as the FIRS internal regulations on staff recruitment.

“A recent appointment of new directors by the Federal Internal Revenue Service was done in violation of public service rules. The tax agency, under its new chairman, Mohammed Nami, recruited four directors in March, but the positions were not advertised as required by federal rules to allow qualified Nigerians to compete. They also violated an internal regulation of the FIRS that would have seen qualified in-house staff take the posts,” a recent online newspaper publication said.

It was learnt that since the retirement and employment of the four new directors, and reassignment of four others initially retired but re-commissioned as consultants have bred bad blood amongst staff of the tax agency.

“There is so much tension and fear amongst staff now, no one can speak his or her mind freely anymore for fear of being labelled anti Nami. Working in FIRS is akin not to working for a Gestapo organisation where everything is done in secrecy and hush hush. It’s like someone is permanently watching and eavesdropping you,” a staff source, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity, said.
The source added that morale and productivity have nose-dived amongst staff.
“Staff now spend their time sitting behind their desk just brooding over the toxic working environment the agency now provides,” the source added.
Nigerian Pilot contacted the director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, on the matter, requesting for a copy of the FIRS’ Human Resources Policies and Processes.
Ahmed argued that the retirement of the directors and appointment of new ones did not contravene the Civil Service rules.
He added that their appointments followed due process and are in line with the extant laws of the service.
“It is not true that the retirement of the directors contravened the Civil Service rules. The fact of the matter is that Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, is not a part of the Civil Service, even though it is a public service. It thus operates like its sister organisations NNPC, CBN, CAC, etc. The Act establishing it gives it autonomy to hire and fire.
“Moreover, the eight years terminal period is provided for in the FIRS Human Resources Policies and Processes Section 10.1(a). The retirement of the directors is, therefore, in line with the HRPP of the Service which was approved by the Board. It is also in public interest and to create vacancies for the existing staff who have remained stagnated.
“The four appointed directors are not consultants. Yes, they are contract staff, and as contract staff, they were employed on the strength of the provision of the FIRS HRPP Section 2.22, and their appointments were approved by the Board. Their appointments followed due process and are in line with the extant laws of the Service. It is hoped that this explanation will put the matter to rest for good,” Ahmed responded.

Section 2.22 on Contract Appointment states: (i) Contract appointment shall only be made where the required skills and competence are not available within the Service. (ii) the appointment must be justified by the relevant office/department making the request and subject.

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TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

As 16 graduands make First Class

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality education, innovation, and globally competitive learning.

Speaking at the institution’s 2nd Convocation ceremony in Oko-Irese, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, said TAU is living up to its ranking as the fastest growing institution in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovation (STEM-i) ecosystem by surpassing more than 100 percent in its number of graduating students at the second convocation.

She said: “TAU emerged on April 8, 2021, as Nigeria’s fastest-growing Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Innovations (STEM-i) ecosystem. Today, we rank 1st among the 20 private universities that were licensed in
2021, 4th among the 14 Universities in Kwara State, 5th among Nigeria’s over 170 private Universities and 50th nationally, an impressive rise reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence.

”What a Moment of Extraordinary Significance today, we stand at a crossroads far more significant than words can adequately capture. Exactly one year ago, we gathered at this very Auditorium to celebrate our inaugural Convocation, a ceremony that marked the graduation of 26 pioneering students who dared to believe in a vision when others saw only impossibility. Those 26 trailblazers proved that Thomas Adewumi University was not just a dream, but a reality rooted in excellence. Today, as we honour 63 outstanding graduates, we witness something far more profound than numerical growth.

“This 142% increase in our graduating class is not merely a statistic to be recorded in annual reports, it is a declaration that Thomas Adewumi University has transcended the realm of promise and entered the domain of proof.

“We have moved from potential to performance, from aspiration to achievement, from vision to velocity.
This year, 63 graduands from 4 Faculties and 11 academic programmes are being conferred. It is noteworthy that we have 16 First Class graduates, 40 in Second Class Upper Division, and 7 in Second Class Lower Division. These results reflect the quality of training and mentorship provided at Thomas Adewumi University, and we are proud to contribute these innovators to both the Nigerian and global workforce, confident that they will make a meaningful
impact.

”Preparing Globally Competitive Graduates, these 63 graduands are not merely degree holders, they are comprehensively prepared global professionals equipped with exceptional advantages that set them apart from their peers nationwide. Through our international partnerships, these graduates have obtained additional microcredentials from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, and Yale, world-class certifications from Alison, UK, RUDN professional University, Russia, World Bank’s Saylor Academy, Google, ICAN, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development initiatives in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

“Our Coursera collaboration provided them with additional industry certifications, while partnerships with Microsoft, IBM SkillsBuild, and MIT OpenCourseWare through our Global Campus initiative democratize access to cutting-edge knowledge. They are thus fully equipped to embark on meaningful and innovative careers in today’s technology-driven world.”

Earlier in his Convocation Lecture, titled “Crowdfunding Opportunities forstartups: Equiping Nigerian graduates for a sustainable future”, Dr. Bayo Williams Olugbemi charged the graduads on the mindset of job creation, saying “as a graduate, your future is not defined by what Nigeria gives you, but by what you create. The idea of crowdfunding is the idea of hope. It is proof that when people come together, ideas once impossible become achievable.

“I urge you not to think only about searching for jobs. Instead, think about creating value, and if capital is a barrier, remember: “The crowd can be your first investor.”

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by Esther I. Eyo, Esq commended the resilience of TAU management said “NUC acknowledges TAU sustained progress in advancing quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, and community engagement, all of which align with our national aspiration for a globally competitive and knowledge-driven university system.

“It would interest you to know that, in the accreditation exercise conducted in 2023, Thomas Adewumi University achieved a 100% Full Accreditation status across all programmes assessed a laudable feat that reflects the University’s strong commitment to maintaining high academic standards.”

Also speaking, the Founder/Chancellor of the institution, Dr. (Engr) Johnson Adewumi, urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the University, adding: “Remember that your degree is not an end but a beginning, go forth with courage, humility, and a sense of responsibility. Strive to illuminate whatever space you occupy with the light of integrity, excellence and service.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on two distinguished personalities; Engr Oluseyi Afolabi and Pastor Oladokun Olatunde.

End

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photo

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

L-r Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the dinner for members of the National Assembly by the First Lady yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office.

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JUST IN: Even Tinubu moves with too many police escorts – Senator Ndume

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

Senator Ali Ndume has criticised what he described as the excessive use of security convoys by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, warning that the practice leaves ordinary citizens exposed and vulnerable.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Ndume said many public office holders move with security details that are unnecessarily large, even when their positions do not warrant such heavy protection.

He recalled visiting the residence of a colleague and finding “more than 10 policemen” attached to him, despite the lawmaker being junior to him in the National Assembly.

Ndume further argued that the presidential convoy itself is excessively large, stressing that security efforts should be focused on protecting the overall environment rather than individual personalities.

He said: “I went to one of my colleagues’ house for dinner. And I saw more than 10 policemen. He is even my junior in the National Assembly. Some of them, if you see them coming, you will pull back thinking that maybe it’s the President or the Vice President that is coming.
“

You can see even the president, the convoy that the president goes about with is too much. Secure the place and when the president goes, you withdraw. Secure Abuja and the president can even drive out, you know, himself.

But when you secure personalities, and this is what is happening in Nigeria, then others, common people, as we call them, become vulnerable, and we don’t care. So if you secure Abuja, then you can drive at night. And let me tell you, this is what is happening in most countries”.

The lawmaker’s comments come just days after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive was aimed at redeploying police manpower to core law enforcement responsibilities.